Laser measurement of a vehicle frame

ABSTRACT

A laser measurement system operates to measure portions of a vehicle, such as a vehicle frame. The measurements are used, for example, to determine if the portions of the vehicle are bent or damaged. The measurement system includes a laser scanner and at least one target assembly that can be connected to a point of the vehicle. The laser scanner emits a laser beam that is detected by the target. Time and laser position information detected by the target are used to determine the location of the target, as well as the location of the point of the vehicle. The location of the point is then compared to an original location of the point to determine if damage has occurred.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/749,420, filed on Jan. 24, 2013, titled LASER MEASUREMENT OFA VEHICLE FRAME, which is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/917,829, filed on Nov. 2, 2010, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,381,409, titled LASER MEASUREMENT OF A VEHICLE FRAME, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/257,262 filed onNov. 2, 2009, titled LASER MEASUREMENT OF A VEHICLE FRAME, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of theabove disclosed applications.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to the field of laser measurement, andmore particularly to laser measurement of a vehicle, and moreparticularly still to a laser measurement system for evaluating a frameof a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

The structural foundation of many common vehicle designs is the frame.The frame can be made of multiple frame members, often formed of metalssuch as steel. Additional vehicle components, such as the engine, body,power train, and interior, are ultimately connected to and supported bythe frame. Some vehicles include a unibody design, in which the frame isintegrated with the body.

Because the frame forms the structural foundation of a vehicle, it istypically very strong and designed to withstand large amounts of stress.Some frames, however, are also designed with intentional weaknesses. Forexample, automobile frames are commonly designed to include a crumplezone toward the front or rear of the vehicle. The crumple zone operatesto deform during a collision to absorb some of the impact and therebylessen the impact on passengers.

Due in part to the complex shapes of many vehicle frames, as well as tothe wide variety of different vehicle frames, it can be difficult todetermine whether a vehicle's frame has been bent from an originalconfiguration. Such deformation, however, can have adverse consequences,such as reducing the structural integrity of the vehicle, or increasingwear on vehicle components.

Once a vehicle frame has been deformed, it can sometimes be repaired bybending the frame back to the proper position. However, due to the widevariety of different vehicle frames, as well as the complex shape ofmost vehicle frames, it can be difficult to determine how to adjust theframe to return the frame to the proper position.

SUMMARY

In general terms, this disclosure is directed to laser measurement. Inone possible configuration and by non-limiting example, a lasermeasurement system identifies locations of points of a vehicle in athree-dimensional space and determines whether the points of the vehicleare properly positioned.

One aspect is a scanner device of a vehicle laser measurement system.The scanner device includes at least one rotating support; a motorarranged and configured to rotate the at least one rotating support; alaser device coupled to the at least one rotating support; and an opticsassembly coupled to the at least one rotating support and positioned toreceive a laser beam from the laser device, the optics assemblyincluding at least one rhombic prism arranged and configured to split alaser beam from the laser device into at least two laser beams.

Another aspect is a method of operating a scanner of a laser measurementsystem. The method includes generating a laser beam with a laser device,and splitting the laser beam into at least two laser beams using arhombic prism.

A further aspect is a laser measurement system including a scannerdevice and a target. The scanner device includes a laser device thatgenerates a laser beam. The target device includes a detector thatdetects when the laser beam is directed at the target, and furtherincludes a three dimensional position indicator system that visuallyindicates the relative position of a point on a vehicle frame withrespect to a desired position in each of the three dimensions.

Yet another aspect is a method of operating a laser measurement system.The method includes: detecting a laser beam emitted from a rotatingscanner device with a target device, the target device being associatedwith a position of a part of a vehicle; and wirelessly transmitting datafrom the target device to the scanner device after detecting the laserbeam.

A further aspect is a method of authorizing a repair. The methodincludes using a laser measurement system to identify at least one pointof a vehicle frame that is not properly positioned; generating a reportidentifying a repair that is needed to return the point of the vehicleframe to a correct position; electronically sending the report to anauthorizer across a network in an authorization request; and receivingfrom the authorizer a response to the authorization request, theresponse authorizing the repair.

Another aspect is a method of operating a laser measurement system. Themethod includes: receiving with a computing device an input from anoperator of the laser measurement system indicating that the operator ishaving a difficulty with the laser measurement system; and receivinginformation with the computing device from a remote assistant to assistthe operator to overcome the difficulty.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example measurement system.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an example scanner of the measurement systemshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded block diagram of the example scannershown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example optics assembly.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another example optics assembly.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of another example optics assembly.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of another example optics assembly.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example attachment device of themeasurement system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the example attachment deviceshown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an example stem of the measurement systemshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a perspective end view of the example stem shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of an example target of themeasurement system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the example target shown in FIG.12.

FIG. 14 is a front cross-sectional block diagram of the example targetshown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional block diagram of the example targetshown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of portions of the measurement systemshown in FIG. 1, showing the scanner at a home position.

FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of portions of the measurement systemshown in FIG. 1, showing the scanner at time T1.

FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of portions of the measurement systemshown in FIG. 1, showing the scanner at time T2.

FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of portions of the measurement systemshown in FIG. 1, showing the scanner back at the home position.

FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view of portions of the measurement systemshown in FIG. 1, showing the communication of data between a target andthe scanner.

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of an example bridge of themeasurement system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view of an example upper tramassembly of the measurement system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view of an example cart of themeasurement system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an architecture of anexample computing device of the measurement system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 25 is an screen shot of an example user interface of an applicationprogram of the measurement system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 is an screen shot of an example user interface of an applicationprogram.

FIG. 27 is an screen shot of another example user interface of anapplication program.

FIG. 28 is an screen shot of another example user interface of anapplication program.

FIG. 29 is an screen shot of another example user interface of anapplication program.

FIG. 30 is an screen shot of another example user interface of anapplication program.

FIG. 31 is an screen shot of another example user interface of anapplication program.

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an examplecommunication network associated with the measurement system shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 33 is a screen shot of an example user interface of another exampleapplication program.

FIG. 34 is a screen shot of the user interface shown in FIG. 33,including an example shop order window.

FIG. 35 is a screen shot of the user interface shown in FIG. 33,including an example customer window.

FIG. 36 is a screen shot of the user interface shown in FIG. 33,including an example insurance company selection menu.

FIG. 37 is a screen shot of the user interface shown in FIG. 33,including an example vehicle menu.

FIG. 38 is a screen shot of the user interface shown in FIG. 33,including an example setup window.

FIG. 39 is a screen shot of the user interface shown in FIG. 33,including an example measurement window.

FIG. 40 is a screen shot of the user interface shown in FIG. 33,including an example plan view measurement window.

FIG. 41 is a screen shot of the user interface shown in FIG. 33,including an example side view measurement window.

FIG. 42 is a screen shot of the user interface shown in FIG. 33,including an example vehicle dimensions window.

FIG. 43 is a screen shot of the user interface shown in FIG. 33,including an example estimation window.

FIG. 44 is a screen shot of the user interface shown in FIG. 33,including an example report window.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts andassemblies throughout the several views. Reference to variousembodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto.Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are notintended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possibleembodiments for the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example measurement system100. Measurement system 100 is depicted in FIG. 1 in an exemplaryenvironment including a vehicle lift system 80 and vehicle 90. Thevehicle 90 includes a body 92, frame 94, and plurality of frame pointsrepresented by points 96 and 98.

The example measurement system 100 includes scanner 102, targetassemblies 104, bridge 106, and cart 108. Examples of target assemblies104 include frame attachment device 110, stems 112, and targets 114.

Measurement system 100 operates, in some embodiments, to measure thelocation of one or more points of frame 94 of vehicle 90, or othervehicle points. Examples of the points are points 96 and 98, shown inFIG. 1. If vehicle 90 includes a unibody design, frame 94 is theunibody.

Measurement system 100 includes a scanner 102 that operates to emitlight, such as one or more laser beams 103 a and 103 b. At least aportion of scanner 102 rotates about a central vertical axis, which inturn causes laser beams 103 a and 103 b to rotate about that axis. Thelaser beams 103 a and 103 b thereby define one or more horizontalreference planes, from which distances to frame points 96 and 98 can becomputed.

Scanner 102 is typically arranged in a central region of frame 94,between the front and rear ends of frame 94 and between left and rightsides of frame 94. Scanner 102 is also typically arranged below frame94, or below portions of frame 94, such that parts of frame 94 do notblock the paths between scanner 102 and targets 114. In someembodiments, a bridge 106 is placed on top of part of vehicle liftsystem 80, and provides a sturdy platform for supporting scanner 102 inthe central region of frame 94.

Target assemblies 104 are each connected to a point of interest of frame94, such as points 96 and 98. In one example, target assembly 104includes a frame attachment device 110 that connects directly to frame94 such as using a magnet or by frictional engagement. An example of apoint 96 or 98 is a location of a particular bolt of frame 94. Otherexamples of points 96 or 98 are joints, corners, holes, surfaces, edges,or any other identifiable location of frame 94.

Stem 112 a device that is configured to support a target 114 in a spacedrelationship to frame attachment device 110. When assembled, stem 112 isconnected to frame attachment device 110. Stem 112 has a length that isknown or can be identified by measurement system 100. An example of stem112 is a rod.

Target 114 operates to detect laser beams 103 a and 103 b. The time andposition of the laser beam is recorded. Subsequent calculations are thenperformed by measurement system 100 using this data to compute thethree-dimensional location of target 114, and the associated point offrame 94.

Cart 108 provides a storage location for the various other components ofmeasurement system 100, and also houses a computing device. In someembodiments the computing device receives position data from scanner 102and/or targets 114 and includes software that generates one or more userinterfaces.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an example scanner 102. In this example,scanner 102 includes housing 202 including an upper portion 204, acentral portion 206, and a lower portion 208.

Housing 202 forms a protective enclosure for various scanner componentscontained therein. The upper portion 204 of housing 202 includes ahandle 210, in some embodiments, which permits a user to easily graspand transport scanner 102. In some embodiments, upper portion 204 housescommunication circuitry that sends and/or receives electromagneticsignals, such as radio frequency waves. Accordingly, in some embodimentsupper portion 204 is made of a material that does not significantlyinterfere with sending and/or reception of such signals, such as anon-metallic material. An example of a suitable material is a polymer,such as a plastic material. Other materials or combinations of materialsare used in other embodiments.

Central portion 206 includes a recessed region 220 that is recessed fromthe lower periphery 214 of upper portion 204 and from an upper periphery230 of lower portion 208. A rotating section 222 of scanner 102 islocated within recessed region 220. The rotating section 222 isprotected from inadvertent contact with other objects by being locatedwithin recessed region 220. For example, if an object, such as a hand,comes into contact with a side of scanner 102, the protruding upper andlower periphery 214 and 230 will tend to come into contact with theobject to stop the object from contacting the recessed rotating section222.

In some embodiments, rotating section 222 includes an optics assembly(shown in FIG. 3) that generates one or more light beams. Apertures 224and 226 are provided in rotating section 222 to permit the one or morelight beams to pass therethrough. In some embodiments the outer part ofrotating section 222 forms a flywheel, which contains apertures 224 and226.

Lower portion 208 of housing 202 encloses a bottom portion of scanner102. In some embodiments a synchronization assembly 240 is containedwithin lower portion 208, and includes lenses 242 through which asynchronization signal is transmitted. An example of a synchronizationsignal is an infrared light pulse (or set of pulses).

Lower portion 208 also includes a profiled bottom surface 250 in someembodiments. The profiled bottom surface 250 includes recesses 252 and254. Recesses 252 and 254 aid in proper alignment of scanner 102 byengaging with rails of bridge 106. When bridge 106 is arrangedtransverse to lift system 80, recesses 252 and 254 engage with bridge106 when recesses 252 and 254 are arranged parallel with rails of bridge106. The engagement of recesses 252 and 254 with rails of bridge 106reduces potential movement or rotation of scanner 102 with respect tobridge 106, such as due to the rotation of rotating section 222 or anyvibration generated by scanner 102.

Some embodiments of scanner 102 include a connection panel 260 forelectrically connecting scanner 102 with another device. In thisexample, connection panel 260 includes an Ethernet port 262, universalserial bus port 264, and a power adapter port 266. Scanner 102 alsoincludes a power switch 268 that allows an operator to turn on and turnoff scanner 102.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded block diagram illustrating an example ofscanner 102. Scanner 102 includes housing 202 (including upper portion204 and lower portion 208), upper section 302, rotating section 222,lower section 304, and central shaft 306. Additional components are alsoincluded in each section, as discussed below.

Upper portion 204 of housing 202 forms a cover for scanner 102 in someembodiments, while lower portion 208 of housing 202 forms a base forscanner 102. One or more bearing assemblies 308 and 309 are used in someembodiments as an interface between stationary upper and lower sections302 and 304 and rotating section 222. Bearing assemblies 308 and 309include one or more bearings, such as a sliding bearing (such as abushing or plain bearing), rolling-element bearing (such as a ballbearing or pin bearing), fluid bearings, or other bearings.

In this example, scanner 102 includes a multi-tiered design includingmultiple different sections that form different interior levels of thescanner 102. In this example, scanner 102 includes three differentsections, including an upper section 302, a rotating section 222, and alower section 304. A hollow central shaft 306 extends through each ofthe sections 302, 222, and 304 and supports each section with respect tothe other sections. In some embodiments shaft 306 is hollow and providesa conduit for electrical wires that extend between upper section 302 andlower section 304 that protects the electrical wires against wear orother damage that could otherwise occur if the wires were to come intocontact with rotating section 222.

In this example, upper section 302 and lower section 304 remainstationary during operation, while rotating section 222 is caused torotate about shaft 306, the operation of which is discussed in moredetail below.

Upper section 302 typically includes a base 310 that is rigidlysupported and connected to shaft 306 to prevent rotation of uppersection 302 and to support section 302 in a spaced relationship torotating section 222 and lower section 304. Base 310 supports additionalcomponents of upper section 302 in some embodiments, such as electroniccircuitry 312. Electronic circuitry 312 is arranged above, below, orboth above and below base 310 in various possible embodiments.

Electronic circuitry 312 includes, for example, communication circuitry314 and synchronization circuitry 318. In some embodiments communicationcircuitry 314 and/or synchronization circuitry 318 include one or moreprinted circuit boards 313. Communication circuitry 314 includes one ormore electronic circuits that allow scanner 102 to communicate withtargets 114 and/or a computing device (such as housed in cart 108), asshown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, communication circuitry 314permits direct communication between scanner 102 and targets 114, andbetween scanner 102 and the computing device of cart 108. As oneexample, communication circuitry 314 includes a radio frequencytransceiver configured to send and receive radio frequency signals. Anexample of a suitable RF transceiver is the MRF24J40MA 2.4 GHz RFTransceiver module distributed by Microchip Technology Inc. having acorporate office in Chandler, Ariz. Other embodiments include othercommunication circuitry.

In some embodiments communication circuitry also includes programmableelectronics, such as a processor and memory. An example of a suitableprocessor is the dsPIC30F5011 high-performance, 16-bit digital signalcontroller distributed by Microchip Technology Inc. Another example of asuitable processor is the PIC32MX320F128H 32-bit microcontroller alsodistributed by Microchip Technology Inc. Other examples of programmableelectronics include a central processing unit, a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, a programmable logic device, a field programmable gatearray, a digital signal processing device, a reduced instruction setcomputing device, a complex instruction set computing device, and anapplication-specific integrated circuit device.

Memory is configured to store digital data including data computed bythe processor or received through the communication circuitry. Memory isalso configured to store data instructions, which when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to execute one or more methods oroperations as described herein. Examples of memory devices include flashmemory, random access memory (“RAM”), read only memory (“ROM”),synchronous dynamic access memory (“SDRAM”), and other known forms ofdigital storage.

In some embodiments, communication circuitry also includes an antenna316 for transforming electrical signals into electromagnetic signals, aswell as for transforming electromagnetic signals into electricalsignals.

In some embodiments electronic circuitry 312 also includessynchronization circuitry 318. Synchronization circuitry 318 is used byscanner 102 to detect rotation of rotating section 222. In some possibleembodiments, synchronization circuitry 312 includes a synchronizationlight generator, such as a light emitting diode (LED). The LED ispositioned above an aperture formed through base 310 to permit light topass therethrough. Alternatively, in another embodiment the LED ispositioned below base 310. Light generated by the synchronizationcircuitry 318 shines toward rotating section 222 in the direction ofarrow A1. As rotating section 222 rotates, a sync aperture 330 formedthrough rotating section 222 periodically becomes aligned with the LED,allowing light to pass therethrough. The light is then detected by anoptical detector 340 located at lower section 304. This allows scanner102 to monitor the rotation of rotating section 222 and to identify eachtime a full rotation is made.

In another possible embodiment, the synchronization LED is included aspart of power supply 338, which can be positioned above or withinaperture 330. Light generated from the LED is then detected by opticaldetector 340 once per rotation.

As noted above, bearing 308 is provided in some embodiments betweenupper section 302 and rotating section 222 to maintain a desired spacingbetween upper section 302 and rotating section 222 and to preventundesired contact between the sections. Bearing 308 includes a hollowcenter so as to not interfere with shaft 306 that extends therethrough.

Rotating section 222 is arranged between upper section 302 and lowersection 304 and typically includes an optics assembly 332, base 334, andpower supply 338. In this example, optics assembly 332 includes a lightgenerator in the form of laser 336. Optics assembly 332 generates one ormore laser beams 103 a and 103 b that are output from scanner 102through apertures 224 and 226. Laser beams 103 a and 103 b rotate asrotating section 222 rotates. Optics assembly 332 is described in moredetail herein with reference to FIGS. 4-7.

One example laser 336 generates a green laser beam. One example of asuitable laser 336 is the industrial laser module manufactured by DiodeLaser Concepts, Inc. of Central Point, Oreg. under Part No. 5K12B2-0010.The color of the green laser can be expressed in terms of the primarywavelength of light produced by laser 336. In some embodiments thewavelength is in a range from about 492 nanometers to about 577nanometers. In another embodiment, the wavelength is in a range fromabout 520 nanometers to about 565 nanometers. In another possibleembodiment, the wavelength is in a range from about 525 nanometers toabout 540 nanometers. In another possible embodiment, the wavelength isabout 532 nm. Other embodiments, however, generate light havingwavelengths outside of these ranges. For example, another possibleembodiment generates a red laser beam. Yet another possible embodimentincludes an ultra-violet laser either in place of, or in addition tolaser 336. As one example, light from the ultra-violet laser has awavelength in a range from 10 nanometers to 400 nanometers.

Green light is close to the center of the visible spectrum, which makesthe light more easily detectable to the human eye. In addition, greenlight can be separated from infrared light, using filters, todistinguish the laser beam from the infrared light pulse used forsynchronization at the targets.

In some embodiments laser 336 is a continuous wave laser, in which theoutput of the laser is substantially constant over time. In anotherpossible embodiment, however, a pulsed mode laser is used. In oneembodiment, the pulsed mode laser pulses at a high frequency, such asgreater than about 100 kHz, or greater than about 175 kHz, or greaterthan about 250 kHz, or greater than about 350 kHz, or greater than about700 kHz. In some embodiments where high frequency pulsing is used, thefrequency should be great enough that one or more pulses will fallwithin the detectable range of each target. In another possibleembodiment a low frequency pulse is used. For example, in someembodiments each pulse is approximately equal to or less than theduration of a complete rotation of rotating section 222. For example, ifrotating section 222 operates complete a full rotation in about 250milliseconds, a low frequency pulse may have a pulse time of less thanor equal to about 250 milliseconds.

Power supply 338 is provided to supply power to laser 336. Due to therotation of rotating section 222, a standard wire is typically not usedto supply power from upper and/or lower sections 302 and 304. Instead,in some embodiments power is delivered to rotating section 222 with arotational power delivery device, such as a rotary transformer. In someembodiments bearing 308 is a combination bearing 308 and rotarytransformer.

An example of a rotary transformer includes two portions. A firstportion is a stationary portion that is connected to the upper section302 or the lower section 304 and receives power from the correspondingelectrical circuitry. Some embodiments provide an AC drive signal to thefirst portion. The second portion is a rotary portion that is connectedto rotating section 222. The first portion and the second portion aremaintained in close proximity to each other (such as within a fewthousandths of an inch). Each of the first and second portions containdoughnut-shaped pot cores and corresponding coils. As the second portionrotates with rotating section 222, electricity is generated within thecoils from the magnetic field generated from the first portion. Theelectricity is then delivered to power supply 338.

Other embodiments include other rotational power delivery devices, suchas a brush and ring connection, a slip ring device, or a rotatingelectrical connector.

In some embodiments, additional power supply circuitry is provided bypower supply 338, which receives power from the rotary transformer.Examples of power supply 338 circuitry include a fuse, a filter (such asincluding one or more capacitors or inductors), a linear regulator, orother power supply circuitry.

Lower section 304 is arranged below rotating section 222 in someembodiments. As discussed above, bearing assembly 309 is used at theinterface between rotating section 222 and lower section 304. Thebearing assembly 309 supports rotating section 222 with respect to lowersection 304 and permits rotating section 222 to rotate about shaft 306.

In some embodiments, lower section 304 includes base 342, electroniccircuitry 344, and motor 346. Electronic circuitry 344 and motor 346 areconnected to and supported by base 342 in some embodiments.

Electronic circuitry 344 typically includes programmable electronics,such as a processor and memory. Additional examples of programmableelectronics are discussed herein. In this example, electronic circuitryincludes control circuitry 352 and synchronization circuitry 354. Insome embodiments control circuitry includes a processor and memory.Program instructions, such as in the form of software, can be stored inthe memory and executed by the processor to perform one or more methodsor operations, such as described herein. For example, in someembodiments communications from targets is received throughcommunication circuitry 314 and communicated to control circuitry 352,such as via one or more wires 320 connected between electronic circuitry312 and electronic circuitry 344. Data contained in the communicationsis then stored in memory of control circuitry 352. In addition, in someembodiments additional processing is performed on the data. Examples ofsuch communications and data processing operations are discussed in moredetail herein.

Some embodiments of control circuitry 352 further include communicationcircuitry, such as configured to communicate via a network communicationprotocol, such as Ethernet or a wireless communication protocol, such asone of the 802.11 family of communication protocols.

Some embodiments of control circuitry 352 include motor controlcircuitry. In another possible embodiment, separate motor controlcircuitry is provided. The motor control circuitry controls theoperation of motor 346, which is coupled to rotating section 222 tocause rotating section to rotate relative to stationary components ofscanner 102 (such as lower section 304).

Motor 346 includes a transmission assembly that delivers power frommotor 346 to rotating section 222. An example of a transmission assemblyis a belt that is connected to a belt guide coupled to rotating section222. Other embodiments include other transmission assemblies, such as achain, gear assembly, frictional wheel, or other transmissionassemblies.

A gear module is included in some embodiments to transform power frommotor 346 to the desired form and/or to deliver the power to the desiredlocation. For example, the gear module can be used to convert the motorsrotational speed (e.g., rotations per minute) to a desired rotationalspeed for the rotating section 222. As another example, the gear modulecan be used to increase (or decrease) the torque applied to rotatingsection 222.

Some embodiments of electronic circuitry 344 further includesynchronization circuitry 354, which operates with synchronizationcircuitry 318 to monitor the rotation of rotating section 222 and togenerate a synchronization signal that is communicated to targets 114.In one example, synchronization circuitry 354 is located verticallybelow the synchronization light generator (such as an LED) ofsynchronization circuitry 318. As rotating section 222 rotates, lightfrom the light generator periodically becomes aligned with sync aperture330 and a light detector of synchronization circuitry 354. This occurs,for example, once per rotation if rotating section 222 includes oneaperture. Additional apertures are provided in some embodiments. Whenthe light detector, such as a photo diode, receives light from the lightgenerator, the light is converted into electricity that is detected bysynchronization circuitry 354. At that time, synchronization circuitrygenerates a synchronization signal using one or more synchronizationsignal generators 360 that communicate the synchronization signal totargets 114.

In some embodiments, synchronization signal generators arelight-emitting diodes that generate electromagnetic radiation havingfrequencies within (or substantially within) the infrared lightspectrum. The infrared light spectrum includes, for example,electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 0.7 and 300micrometers. In one example embodiment, the synchronization signal has awavelength of about 940 nm. Other embodiments generate electromagneticradiation having other wavelengths. Some embodiments use othersynchronization signal generators, such as a radio-frequencycommunication device, or a visible light generator. Yet otherembodiments communicate synchronization events using wiredcommunications.

In some embodiments, scanner 102 further includes a control panel 362,such as provided at lower portion 208. Control panel 362 includes one ormore output devices 364 and/or one or more input devices. Examples ofoutput devices 364 include status indicators, such as a power statuslight, communication status indicators (such as a send light and areceive light), and a laser status light. Examples of input devices 366include switches (or buttons), other controls, and data communicationports. An example of a switch is a power on/off switch for turning on oroff scanner 102. Another example of a switch is a laser on/off switch.An example of a data communication port is an Ethernet communicationport for data communication between scanner and a computing device (suchas within cart 108). Such communication can be either directcommunication or network communication. In some embodiments, theEthernet communication port provides power to scanner 102. An example ofa suitable Ethernet communication port is a Power Over Ethernet (POE)compatible port. Some embodiments include target data communicationports. Another example of a data communication port is a USB port. TheUSB port can be used, for example, for data communication betweenscanner 102 and another device (i.e., a computing device, a target, oranother external device), or for plugging in a memory card (such as aUSB memory stick). The memory card can then be used by scanner 102 tostore data, or to retrieve data, such as a software update. In anotherpossible embodiment, the USB port is a ‘B’ port and is not used toreceive a USB memory stick in some embodiments. In some embodiments theUSB port is used to configure and diagnose the system.

Some embodiments of scanner 102 further include one or more ports 368.An example of a port 368 is a power jack, such as for receiving powerfrom a power adapter, AC power cable, or DC power cable. Someembodiments of electronic circuitry 344 include power supply circuitry,such as for filtering or otherwise transforming power received from port368. In other embodiments, a power cord is provided instead of (or inaddition to) port 368. Other ports are used in some embodiments.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate several example embodiments of optics assembly 332of scanner 102, such as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a first embodiment of an example optics assembly 332. In thisexample, optics assembly 332 includes laser 336, beam splitter 402, andmirror 404.

Laser 336 generates a laser beam L1 that is directed toward beamsplitter 402. Beam splitter 402 allows a portion P1 of the light to passthrough (L1), while reflecting the remaining portion as beam L2. In someembodiments, P1 is in a range from about 40% to about 60%, and in someembodiments is about 50%. In some embodiments measurement of P1 isperformed with light of a specific wavelength, such as 630 nm. Inanother embodiment, the specific wavelength of light generated by laser336 is used to determine P1. After the laser beam L2 has reflected, beamL2 is then directed toward mirror 404, which is then reflected by mirror404 as beam L3.

It can be difficult, however, to precisely align laser 336 duringmanufacturing. Even if precisely aligned, the laser angle may shiftduring use, particularly with solid-state lasers. For example, areference direction R1 is a desired location of laser beam L1. If laserbeam is slightly misaligned or shifted, as shown, laser beam L1 candeviate by an angle A2 from the reference direction. As a hypothetical,assume L1 deviates from reference direction R1 by an angle A2 of 2°.

When beam L1 is reflected into beam L2 by beam splitter 402, thedeviation angle is multiplied by the reflection of beam splitter 402. Asa result, beam L2 now deviates from a desired reference direction R2 byan angle of A3. In the hypothetical, the angle A3 is now 4°, or twiceA2. Beam L2 is then reflected by mirror 404 as beam L3. A deviation isnow further multiplied, such that beam L3 deviates from referencedirection R3 by a deviation angle A4. In the hypothetical, angle A4 is8°, or double angle A3, and quadruple angle A2. The difference betweenbeams L1 and L2 is 6° (the difference between A4 (8°) and A2 (2°)).

As a result of the deviation, some embodiments include a calibrationoperation in which laser 336 is carefully and precisely aligned within asmall tolerance range, such as within a fraction of an angle to areference direction R1. In some embodiments a calibration operation isperformed to measure the deviation angle. In some embodiments,mathematical corrections are performed on the resulting data to correctfor the known or estimated deviation angle.

FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of an example optics assembly 332. In thisexample, optics assembly 332 includes laser 336, and mirrors 502, 504,506, and 508. Mirror 502 allows a portion of the light to pass through,while reflecting the remaining portion. In some embodiments the mirror502 allows a portion in a range from about 40% to about 60% to passthrough, and in another embodiment allows a portion of about 50% to passthrough.

Laser 336 generates laser beam L10. Due to the difficulty of preciselyaligning the laser beam L10 generated by laser 336 along a desiredreference direction R10, a deviation angle A10 can result. However, inthis embodiment the deviation angle A10 is not multiplied. In ahypothetical example, angle A10 is 2°.

A portion of laser beam L1 is reflected by mirror 502 toward mirror 504,which is in turn reflected by mirror 504 toward mirror 508. Mirrors 502and 504 are positioned and angled relative to each other such that theresulting laser beam L11 is reflected substantially 90° from theincoming direction. Because laser L11 is reflected at 90° regardless ofwhether it is deviating from the reference direction or not, the mirrors502 and 504 do not multiply the deviation angle. In the hypotheticalexample, the deviation angle remains at 2°.

In some embodiments, mirrors 502 and 504 are surfaces of a firstpentaprism, and mirrors 506 and 508 are surfaces of a second pentaprism.Each pentaprism includes surfaces that act as mirrors 502 and 504 or 506and 508 to reflect incoming light substantially 90°.

Beam L11 then impinges upon mirror 508, which reflects beam L11 towardmirror 506. The laser beam is the reflected by mirror 506 as laser beamL12. As previously discussed, mirrors 506 and 508 are positioned andaligned so as to reflect an incoming beam substantially 90°. As aresult, the deviation angle A12 of laser beam L12 from the referencedirection R12 is not further multiplied. In the hypothetical example,angle A12 remains at 2°.

A10 and A12 have the same angle, such that the difference between anglesA10 and A12 is substantially zero. As a result, laser beams L10 and L12remain substantially parallel will a small deviation in laser angle A10.

Although the deviation angles A10, A11, and A12 do not change in someembodiments, the distance traveled by beam L10, L11, and L12 does causea small deviation distance D2. The deviation distance can be calculatedusing the formula:

D2=D1×sin(A10)

where D1 is the overall distance that the laser beam L10, L11, and L12has traveled.

FIG. 6 is a third embodiment of an example optics assembly 332. In thisexample, optics assembly 332 includes a first rod 602 and a second rod604. The first rod includes surface 610 at a first end and surface 612at a second opposing end. The second rod includes surface 614 at a firstend and surface 616 at a second opposing end.

In one example embodiment, rods 602 and 604 are made of glass or othertransparent or translucent materials. Rods 602 can be formed of a one ormore solid cylindrical rods, or solid rectangular rods, for example.Surfaces 610, 612, 614, and 616 are beveled at desired angles, such assubstantially 45° angles. Surfaces 612 and 614 are aligned and in facingrelationship. In some embodiments surfaces 612 and 614 are abuttedtogether. In other embodiments surfaces 612 and 614 are fastenedtogether, such as with an adhesive (i.e., glue) or other fastener, suchas tape or a bracket. In some embodiments rods 602 and 604 are insertedwithin an orifice within a block, and orifices are provided to allowlaser beams L22 and L24 to pass therethrough. In some embodiments, oneor more of rods 602, 604, or the combination of rods 602 and 604 have arhombic shape, and are therefore sometimes referred to herein as rhombicprisms. In some embodiments, one or more of the rods have a sidecross-sectional shape of a rhomboid—a parallelogram in which the anglesare oblique. Some embodiments have adjacent sides of unequal lengths.Some embodiments have a side cross-sectional shape of a rhombus—aparallelogram in which the angles are oblique and adjacent sides are ofsubstantially equal length. In some embodiments, one or more of rods 602and 604 are made of two or more pieces.

In an example embodiment, rods 602 and 604 have a substantially squarelateral cross-section, having a width in a range from about 1 mm toabout 20 mm, and preferably in a range from about 3 mm to about 8 mm. Inan example embodiment, an offset distance between laser beam L20 andlaser beam L22 is less than about 20 mm, and preferably in a range fromabout 3 mm to about 7 mm.

Laser beam L20 is generated by laser 336, and as discussed above, maydeviate from a desired reference direction R20, such as by an angle A20.In a hypothetical example, angle A20 is 2°.

Beam L20 passes through a side of rod 602 and impinges on the interiorside of surface 610. Preferably surface 610 is mirrored to reflect allor substantially all of the laser beam internally, resulting in laserbeam L21. The deviation angle is multiplied by the reflection, such thatangle A21 is double angle A20. In the hypothetical example, angle A21 is4°.

One or more of surfaces 612 and 614 are mirrored such that a portion oflaser beam L21 is reflected out of optics assembly 332 as laser beam L22and the rest is passed into rod 604. The deviation angle of laser beamL22 is multiplied by mirror surface 612 or 614, such that angle A22 isdouble that of angle A21. In the hypothetical example, angle A22 is 8°.In this example embodiment, laser L21 approaches the mirror (includingsurfaces 614 and 612) from one side, and laser beam L23 passes throughthe other side on its path to surface 616. This is in contrast to theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, where laser beam L1 approaches mirror 402from one side, and laser beam L2 reflects from that same side towardmirror 404. The alignment of the laser beams is therefore improved inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

The rest of laser beam L21 continues into rod 604 as beam L23. Thedeviation angle A23 is unchanged from angle A21 by passing throughsurfaces 612 and 614. Beam L23 then impinges on the interior side ofsurface 616. Surface 616 is mirrored such that beam L23 is reflected outof optics assembly 332 as laser beam L24. The deviation angle A24 ismultiplied by the reflection at surface 616, such that angle A24 isdouble that of angles A21 and A23. In the hypothetical example, angleA24 is 8°.

In this example, however, the deviation angles A22 and A24 aresubstantially equal. As a result, the difference between the angles issubstantially zero. As a result, laser beams L22 and L24 aresubstantially parallel. In some embodiments the distance between beamsL22 and L24 is in a range from about 50 mm to about 200 mm, andpreferably from about 80 mm to about 120 mm. In one specific example,the distance between beams L22 and L24 is about 101.6 mm. In someembodiments, laser beam L22 and L24 is parallel to less than 10 mrad inboth axes, and preferably to less than 3 mrad in both axes.

As noted above, some embodiments involve determining the deviation angleand correcting measurements accordingly. Such a determination of thedeviation angle can be performed, for example, during a calibrationoperation.

In some of the embodiments discussed above, anti-reflective coatings areprovided at interfaces where reflection is not desired, such as on theside of rod 602 where laser beam L20 enters rod 602, and on the side ofrod 604 where laser beam L24 exits rod 604. In some embodiments,reflective coatings are provided on surfaces where it is desired thatsubstantially all of the laser beam be reflected, such as surface 610and surface 616.

An alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is to replace rod 602with a combination of a prism and a beam splitter. Laser L20 is firstdirected into the prism, and then reflected into the beam splitter,where laser beams L22 and L23 are separated. Similarly, rod 604 isreplaced in some embodiments with a glass rod with flat ends, where oneof the ends is aligned with the beam splitter to receive laser beam L23.A prism is then arranged at the other end of the rod to reflect thelaser beam as laser beam L24. Other embodiments include yet otheroptical arrangements.

FIG. 7 is a fourth embodiment of an example optics assembly 332. In thisexample, optics assembly includes laser 336 a and laser 336 b. Laser 336a generates a laser beam L31. Laser 336 b generates a laser beam L32.

In this example, separate lasers are used to generate the laser beamsL31 and L32. It is possible that laser 336 a and laser 336 b will beslightly misaligned from the desired reference directions R31 and R32.For example beam L31 may be misaligned by an angle A31, while beam L32may be misaligned by an angle A32. In this example, however, there maynot be any correlation between angles A31 and A32, such as if they areseparately mounted and secured within scanner 102.

FIGS. 8-15 illustrate example embodiments of target assembly 104, suchas including an attachment device 110, stem 112, and target 114. FIGS.8-9 illustrate an example of attachment device 110. FIGS. 10-11illustrate an example of stem 112. FIGS. 12-15 illustrate an example oftarget 114.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example attachment device 110. FIG. 9is another perspective view of the example attachment device 110, shownin FIG. 8. The attachment device is configured to attach to a frame 94(or other portion) of a vehicle 90, such as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In this example, attachment device 110 includes a body 802 and stemengagement device 808. Body 802 includes a face surface 804 that isconfigured to abut a surface of frame 94. Attachment device 110 includesa fastener 806, such as a magnet, that magnetically attaches attachmentdevice 110 to frame 94 at a desired location. In some embodimentsfastener 806 is a rare-earth magnet that provides a relatively highattachment force. Other embodiments include other fasteners 806, such asan adhesive, tape, clip, hook, bolt, nail, strap, or other devicecapable of fastening to frame 94 or other portion of a vehicle. In someembodiments face surface 804 has a ring-shape that protrudes from acentral region. The protrusion permits a bolt, screw, or otherprotruding feature of frame 94 to be received therein.

Attachment device 110 typically includes a stem engagement device 808configured to engage with a portion of stem 112. In some embodimentsstem engagement device 808 forms a socket joint for receiving a ballportion of stem 112. The socket joint permits the ball portion to pivotwithin the socket. Ball portion of stem 112 can be inserted by applyinga sufficient insertion force, which causes arms of stem engagementdevice 808 to expand to receive the ball portion into the socket.Similarly, a sufficient removal force will cause arms of stem engagementdevice 808 to expand, thereby releasing the ball portion from thesocket. Other stem engagement devices are used in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, attachment device 110 is used with an adapter. Theadapter is arranged between the attachment device 110 and the frame. Avariety of different adapters can be used to permit attachment tovarious features of the frame, such as holes, studs, bolts, or otherfeatures of the frame. In some embodiments, magnets are included withinthe adapter rather than, or in addition to being in attachment device110. One or more small round magnets are used in some embodiments, whichcan be pressed into holes formed in the adapter body, which may beformed of aluminum or one or more other non-ferrous materials. Inanother embodiment, a magnetic ring is used, with or without non-ferrousmaterial added to it.

FIGS. 10-11 illustrate an example stem 112. FIG. 10 is a side view andFIG. 11 is a perspective end view. In this example, stem 112 includesball portion 1002, extension member 1004, coupler 1006, and connector1008.

Stem 112 is configured to connect between attachment device 110 andtarget 114. Stem 112 allows target 114 to hang a distance L1 belowattachment device 110, so that target 114 can be arranged within thepath of laser beams 103, as shown in FIG. 1.

Ball portion 1002 is configured to engage with stem engagement device808 to allow stem to be hung from attachment device 110, when theattachment device 110 is connected to a frame 94. Other joints orfasteners are used in other embodiments.

Ball portion 1002 extends from an end of extension member 1004.Extension member performs the function of separating ball portion 1002from connector 1008 by a desired distance. In some embodiments aplurality of differently sized stems 112 are provided as a kit, and theuser can select from the plurality of differently sized stems to obtaina stem 112 that has a length L1 suitable to lower the target 114 intothe path of laser beams 103. In some embodiments extension member 1004is color coded with a color C1. The color C1 is associated with a lengthL1 of that particular stem 112. An example of the color coding isillustrated in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Stem Length Color Codes Length L1 Resistance Type Stem Color(mm) Kit Quantity (ohms) Lower Stem Black 44.73 10   1K Lower StemSilver 75.72 10 1.8K Lower Stem Red 155.23 10 2.7K Lower Stem Gold232.77 10 3.7K Lower Stem Green 312.88 10 4.8K Lower Stem Blue 392.53 105.9K Lower Stem Purple 472.87 10 7.15K  Upper Stem Red 177.53 6 — UpperStem Gold 252.54 6 —

In this example, a kit comes with a plurality of differently sized stems112. The lengths L1 are, for example, the overall length from the top ofthe ball portion 1002 to the bottom of connector 1008. In someembodiments this data is stored as a lookup table in memory of acomputing device. In some embodiments additional data regarding relevantlengths is stored in memory. For example, in some embodiments a distancefrom a center point of ball portion 1002 to a center line of target 114is computed for each stem 112, when the target assembly 104 is fullyassembled. This distance is referred to as the optimized functionallength of the stem 112. This value is subsequently used, in someembodiments, to determine the location of the feature of frame 94 towhich attachment device 110 is attached, as discussed below. The examplekit described in Table 1 is only one possible example of a kit. Otherpossible embodiments include other quantities and collections of stems.

In some embodiments multiple types of stems are included. For example,lower stems 112 are used as illustrated in FIG. 1 to hang a target froma location on frame 94. Upper stems are used in cooperation with anupper tram, discussed in more detail herein, to hang target 114 from theupper tram.

A coupler 1006 is used in some embodiments to connect extension member1004 with connector 1008. Connector 1008 is, for example, a device thatconnects stem 112 with a target 114. In some embodiments connector 1008is a male Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) type of connector, althoughother embodiments include other connectors. In some embodiments BNCconnectors include one or more slots 1010 for receiving correspondingpins of a female BNC connector, which allows the female connector to beinserted straight into connector 1008 and then rotated to lock thefemale connector in place within the male connector 1008. To remove thefemale connector, a slight inward force is applied, and then the femaleconnector is rotated and removed out from the male connector 1008.

In some embodiments, connector 1008, and/or coupler 1006 are water tightand sealed from fluid intrusion (when connector 1008 is mated with thefemale connector). This prevents water (such as from vehicle 90) fromentering the connector 1008.

In some embodiments stem 112 includes an automatic identification devicethat allows target 114 to identify which stem 112 it is connected to. Anexample of an automatic identification device is a conductive elementcoupled to a resistive element 1014. The resistance of the resistiveelement can be detected by the target by an electrical connectionbetween the conductive element 1012 and the connector 1008 housing, forexample. Once the resistance is known, the target 114 (or anotherdevice) uses a lookup table, in some embodiments, to determine thelength L1 of the associated stem 112. Other identification devices areused in other embodiments. For example, other electrical components canbe used, such as a capacitor (having a given capacitance) or inductor(having a given inductance) to identify the device. Yet otherembodiments include an RFID tag or wireless transmitter. Anotherembodiment includes an integrated circuit or microprocessor thatcommunicates identification information to target 114. In someembodiments, targets turn on automatically when stem 112 is connected toit.

FIGS. 12-15 illustrate examples of target 114. FIG. 12 is a frontperspective view, FIG. 13 is a front elevational view, FIG. 14 is afront cross-sectional block diagram, and FIG. 15 is a sidecross-sectional block diagram.

In some embodiments, target 114 includes a housing 1202, connector 1204,charging contacts 1206, optical detector 1208, status indicators 1210,position indicators 1212, synchronization detector 1214, and boot 1216.

Housing 1202 forms a protective enclosure for target 114, which containsvarious components therein, such as electrical circuitry, a circuitboard, and batteries. In some embodiments, housing 1202 is sealedagainst fluid intrusion. An example of a suitable material for housing1202 is a polymer, such as plastic. Other embodiments include othermaterials.

Connector 1204 is provided in some embodiments to connect target 114with stem 112. An example of connector 1204 is a female BNC connector.In some embodiments connector 1204 includes one or more pins 1220 thatare configured to engage with slots 1010 of stem connector 1008. Inanother possible embodiment, connector 1204 is a male connector, whileconnector 1008 is a female connector. Yet other connectors are used inother embodiments. In this example, connector 1204 is coupled to anupper portion of housing 1202, and is substantially aligned with avertical center of mass of target 114 so that target 114 will hangsubstantially vertically when suspended by attachment device 110 andstem 112. In some embodiments, one or more of connectors 1204 and 1008are spring loaded.

Charging contacts 1206 are provided in some embodiments to receive powerfrom an external source for recharging batteries contained within target114. In some embodiments target 114 includes a battery recharging modulethat is electrically connected to charging contacts. The batteryrecharging module includes, for example, electronics configured toproperly recharge the batteries, such as a smart charger that preventsovercharging of the batteries. In some embodiments the batteryrecharging module is configured to perform trickle charging to maintaina battery in a fully charged state after recharging. Other embodimentsdo not include a battery recharging module, which may, instead, beprovided by an external device, such as cart 108 as discussed in moredetail herein.

Optical detector 1208 is provided in some embodiments to detect lightgenerated by scanner 102. An example of an optical detector is a sensorarray, such as an array of photodiodes. The optical detector 1208operates to detect when a laser beam 103 of scanner 102 hits opticaldetector 1208. Also, in some embodiments, the optical detector 1208further determines a position along the optical detector 1208 where thelaser beam 103 made contact with the optical detector 1208. In someembodiments the optical detector is arranged co-axial with a verticalcenter of gravity of target 114.

An example of a photodiode array is a plurality of photodiodes arrangedalong an imaginary line. In one example, the cathodes of each of thephotodiodes are shorted to a voltage source, while the anodes of thephotodiodes are electrically coupled along a resistive ladder.Electrical circuitry is then coupled to each end of the photodiode arrayto detect the respective currents (or voltages). In an exampleembodiment, the optical detector 1208 is a sensor array including aplurality of optical sensors, the number of optical sensors being in arange from about 10 to about 100, and in another possible embodiment,being in a range from about 20 to about 40. In some embodiments theoptical detector 1208 has a vertical height in a range from about 5 cmto about 30 cm, and in another possible embodiment, from about 10 cm toabout 15 cm.

In some embodiments, optical detector 1208 operates to generateinstantaneous peak signals from each end of the sensor array. The ratioof the difference over the sum of these two signals provides anapproximate position that the laser beam 103 was detected along therange of the optical detector 1208. In some embodiments the sensor arrayis non-linear. A look-up table with interpolation is used in someembodiments to identify the position of the laser beam with respect tothe optical detector 1208. The lookup table is stored in memory in someembodiments, such as on target 114, or on scanner 102, or on a computingdevice, such as within cart 108.

Another example of an optical detector includes a fluorescent bar. Thefluorescent bar is made of a material that can absorb light generated bythe laser beam 103 in scanner 102. For example, laser beam 103 is anultraviolet laser beam. Once the fluorescent bar has absorbed light fromlaser beam 103, the fluorescent bar fluoresces. In some embodiments, thefluorescing is detected by photocells positioned at each end of thefluorescent bar. The position of the laser beam along the fluorescentbar can then be determined by comparing the signals from each photocell,such as by taking a ratio of the difference over the sum and linearizingthe result with a look-up table. Some embodiments include multipleoptical detectors 1208, such as sensor array and a fluorescent bar.

One or more status indicators 1210 are provided in some embodiments toindicate an operating status of target 114. In some embodiments, statusindicators 1210 include one or more lights, such as light emittingdiodes. The lights are arranged in some embodiments such that at leastone light is visible from any horizontal direction (when target 114 isarranged vertically as shown), such as in any location 360° aroundtarget 114. As shown in FIG. 12, some embodiments include statusindicators 1210 on the left and right sides, as well as portions of thefront and back sides (the rear side of the status indicator being amirror image of the front side). Other embodiments include otherconfigurations.

One of more status codes are provided by status indicators 1210. Forexample, in some embodiments the status indicator turns on when thetarget 114 is powered on in some embodiments, and turns off when thetarget 114 is powered off. In another possible embodiment, multipledifferent colored lights are used to represent different statuses. Forexample, in one possible embodiment the following status lights areused: (1) red indicates that an error has been detected, (2) blueindicates that the target is on and has received a sync signal but notdetected a laser beam, (3) green indicates that the target is on and hasreceived a sync signal and detected a laser beam, and (4) magentaindicates that the target is on but is not detecting sync or laserbeams. Status lights can be constant on or flashing. In someembodiments, the computing device sends a message to a target 114through scanner 102 asking the target to identify itself. When target114 receives the message, a white status light flashes so that theoperator can identify the particular target.

Position indicators 1212 are provided in some embodiments to provide avisual indication of the position of target 114 relative to an expectedor desired position. Some embodiments do not include position indicators1212, while other embodiments include one or more position indicators1212. One possible embodiment includes a single position indicator 1230.The position indicator 1230 can include multiple lights, in someembodiments, so that it is more easily visible from different locationsaround target 114. For example, left position indicator 1230 a caninclude one or more lights that are easily visible toward the left sideof target 114, while right position indicator 1230 b can include one ormore lights that are easily visible toward the right side of target 114.

The position indicator 1230 indicates, for example, how close to theexpected position the target 114 is at a given time. Multipledifferently colored lights are provided in some embodiments, such as ared light, a yellow light, and a green light. The red light indicatesthat the target 114 is outside of a specified range of positions. Theyellow light indicates that the target 114 is within a specified rangeof acceptable positions. The green light indicates that the target iswithin a preferred range of positions.

As one example, suppose that a target 114 is initially positioned sothat it is outside of a specified range of positions. In this situation,the position indicator 1230 of target 114 may be red. An operator maythen use a winch or other device to attempt to adjust the frame. Whilethe adjustment is being made, the target 114 continues to monitor itscurrent position and adjusts the position indicator 1230 to yellow assoon as the position comes to within a specified range of acceptablepositions. The operator may continue adjusting the frame, for example,until the position indicator 1230 is adjusted to green, showing that thetarget 114 (and the frame to which it is ultimately attached) is withina preferred range of positions.

In some embodiments, if the operator inadvertently adjusts the frame toofar, such that target detects that the position has started to gooutside of the preferred range of positions in the opposite directionfrom the original position, the position indicator 1230 illuminates adifferent colored (e.g., blue) light to indicate that the adjustment hasgone too far and that the target is not within the preferred range ofpositions. If the adjustment continues in the wrong directly, a magentalight is used to indicate that the operator has gone far past theoriginal position.

It is noted that although the position of the target is sometimesreferred to herein, a position of the stem, a position of an attachmentdevice, or a position of a part of a frame can alternatively be used bycomputing the respective distance that the position is from the targetposition.

Another possible embodiment includes multiple position indicators, suchas three position indicators including height indicator 1230, widthindicator 1232, and length indicator 1234. In this embodiment, heightindicator 1230 indicates the height position of target 114 with respectto an expected height, width indicator 1232 indicates a width positionof target 114 with respect to an expected width position, and lengthindicator 1234 indicates a length position of target 114 with respect toan expected length. In this way, target 114 provides a visual indicationto the operator that tells the operator whether the frame to which thetarget 114 needs to be adjusted vertically, laterally, longitudinally,or a combination of these.

The terms longitudinally and laterally are used with respect to thelength of the vehicle, such that a longitudinal axis extends between thefront and rear of the vehicle, and a lateral axis extends between leftand right sides of the vehicle.

A synchronization detector 1214 is provided in some embodiments todetect a synchronization signal, such as generated by scanner 102. Thesynchronization detector is, for example, an infrared detector.

A protective boot 1216 is provided on one or more external surfaces ofhousing 1202 in some embodiments, such as around a bottom portion oftarget 114. The boot 1216 is typically made of a shock absorbingmaterial, such as a rubber material, to protect target 114 from a suddenshock, such as if the target 114 is accidentally dropped or otherwisecomes into contact with another object. In some embodiments, protectiveboot 1216 also acts to protect other objects in case of contact withtarget 114. For example, protective boot 1216 can protect a body of avehicle from an unintended scratch or dent if target 114 were to makecontact with the body.

FIG. 13 is a front view of an example target 114. In this example,housing 1202 includes a face surface 1302 that surrounds opticaldetector 1208.

In some embodiments, at least portions of face surface 1302 have acolor. The color is selected such that the laser beam 103 is easilyvisible on face surface 1302 when it comes into contact with the facesurface 1302. In some embodiments the portions of face surface 1302 arein the form of measurement bars 1304. In this example, measurement barsare white. Laser beam 103 is easily visible on the white surface. Insome embodiments other portions of housing 1202 have a dark color, suchas black, on which laser beam 103 is not as easily visible.

In some embodiments, measurement bars 1304 includes ruled markings 1306that allow an operator to estimate distances. In some embodiments largerruled markings are used to identify points that are one centimeterapart, while smaller ruled markings are used to identify points that are5 mm away from each larger ruled marking Other ruled markings are usedin other embodiments.

FIGS. 14-15 illustrate additional block diagrams of example targets 114.FIG. 14 is a front cross-sectional block diagram and FIG. 15 is a sidecross-sectional block diagram.

In this example, target 114 includes housing 1202, connector 1206,optical detector 1208, synchronization detector 1214, one or morecircuit boards 1402 and 1404, one or more batteries 1406 (i.e., onebattery, two batteries, etc.), communication device 1408, and otherelectronic circuitry, such as processor 1410 and memory 1412.

At least some electronic circuitry is typically included on one or morecircuit boards, such as circuit board 1402 and circuit board 1404.Examples of electronic circuitry are discussed herein. One example ofelectronic circuitry is programmable circuitry, such as includingprocessor 1410 and memory 1412. In some embodiments, memory 1412 storesinstructions, which when executed by processor 1410 cause processor 1410to perform one or more methods or operations, such as those discussedherein. In some embodiments batteries 1406 are supported by or connectedto one or more of boards 1402 and 1404. In another embodiment, batteries1406 are contained within the housing and are electrically coupled tothe electronic components of target 114, but are physically separatedfrom boards 1402 and 1404.

Electronic circuitry is powered, in some embodiments, by one or morebatteries 1406, contained within housing 1202. In some embodiments,target 114 is normally off, but automatically powers on when connectedwith stem 112. For example, in some embodiments an electronic circuitbetween batteries 1406 and the electronic circuitry is normally open atconnector 1204. The circuit is closed upon connection of stem 112 andcurrent flows through conductive element 1012, resistive element 1014,and connector 1010. In some embodiments the current flow does not gothrough outer connector 1010, but rather through another connector.

Electronic circuitry includes, in some embodiments, a battery chargingmodule that is electrically coupled to batteries 1406 to recharge thebatteries 1406 after use. While some embodiments include rechargeablebatteries, other embodiments include disposable batteries. In someembodiments, batteries store enough power to allow target 114 to operatefor more than 8 hours under normal use. In other embodiments, batteriesstore enough power for more than 12 hours of use, or for more than 16hours of use. Other embodiments use other power sources, such asreceiving power through a wire, or from a solar panel, etc.

In some embodiments electronic circuitry further includessynchronization detector 1214 and communication device 1408.Synchronization detector 1214 is discussed above, and operates, forexample, to detect a synchronization signal generated by scanner 102.Communication device 1408 is a device that operates to communicate withanother device, such as scanner 102 or a computing device, such as incart 108. An example of communication device 1408 is a radio frequencycommunication device. In some embodiments communication device 1408communicates digital data utilizing a data communication protocol, suchas one of the family of 802.11 protocols. For example, in someembodiments the processor 1410 of target 114 utilizes communicationdevice 1408 to communicate digital data with communication circuitry 314of scanner 102. In other possible embodiments, communication device 1408communicates digital data with a computing device, such as containedwithin cart 108. In some embodiments, communication between target 114and scanner 102 and target 114 and the computing device is directcommunication. In some embodiments, targets 114 only directlycommunicate with scanner 102.

FIGS. 16-20 illustrate an example method of determining a position of atarget 114. FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of portions of an examplemeasurement system 100. The measurement system 100 includes a scanner102 having an optics assembly 332 and at least one laser 336. Theoutputs of the optics assembly 332 are laser beams 103 a and 103 b. Atleast part of scanner 102 rotates in the direction of rotation R16 abouta vertical axis of rotation 1602. Scanner includes a home position wherean angle of rotation θ=0°. In some embodiments the home position isdefined as shown in FIG. 3, as the position in which synchronizationcircuitry 318 (such as a synchronization LED) is aligned with syncaperture 330 and optical detector 340. When in the home position,scanner 102 generates a synchronization signal 1604. The synchronizationsignal 1604 is detected by target 114, which records a time T0 from aninternal clock at which the synchronization signal 1604 is received. Anexample of the internal clock is a 32 bit counter with a clock speed of10 ns (100 MHz). Another example of the internal clock is a counter witha clock speed of 50 ns (20 MHz). Other embodiments include othercounters or other clock speeds.

Referring now to FIG. 17, scanner 102 continues to rotate about verticalaxis of rotation 1602. At some point, laser beam 103 b comes intocontact with target 114. The optical detector 1208 of target 114 detectslaser beam 103 b and target 114 records in memory a time T1 from aninternal clock at which the laser beam 103 b is detected. In someembodiments, target 114 records both times when the leading and trailingedge of laser beam 103 b are detected, and averages them together toobtain time T1 at which the laser beam 103 b is at the center of theoptical detector 1208.

Referring now to FIG. 18, scanner 102 continues to rotate about verticalaxis of rotation 1602. Shortly after time T1, laser beam 103 a comesinto contact with target 114. The optical detector 1208 of target 114detects laser beam 103 a and target 114 records in memory a time T2 froman internal clock at which the laser beam 103 b is detected. In someembodiments T2 is the average time of the detected leading and trailingedges of the laser beam 103 a.

Referring now to FIG. 19, scanner 102 continues to rotate about verticalaxis of rotation 1602. Once scanner 102 has completed a full rotation,it returns to the home position. At this time scanner 102 transmitsanother synchronization signal 1604, which is detected by target 114.Target 114 records the time T4 in memory. This time is also used as T0for the next scan.

Referring now to FIG. 20, scanner 102 continues to rotate about verticalaxis of rotation 1602. While scanner 102 is rotating, target 114operates to process data and prepare it for transmission to scanner 102.For example, in some embodiments times T0, T1, T2, and T3 are modifiedby subtracting T0 to obtain a value of the time that elapsed from timeT0.

In some embodiments, in order to reduce the chance that multiple targets114 will attempt to communicate with scanner 102 at the same time,targets 114 package a message together but wait to send the messageuntil a predetermined transmit time. As one example, target 114 waits totransmit the message back to scanner 102 until the next time T1, whenlaser beam 103 b is detected.

A message 2000 is then transmitted from target 114 to scanner 102, suchas using communication device 1408 of target 114 and communicationcircuitry 314 of scanner 102.

An example of the data transmitted in message 2000 includes one or moreof the following. The period, or total time of one rotation of scanner102 (T4); the times T1 and T2 at which laser beams 103 b and 103 a weredetected; the heights H1 and H2 of each laser beam 103 b and 103 a alongoptical detector 1208 or any other desired data. In some embodiments, ifscanner 102 has data to send to the target 114, the data can betransmitted from scanner 102 to target 114 during this communication.For example, scanner 102 can send status information, alignmentinformation, or other information to target 114. In some embodiments,scanner 102 sends data to target 114 after receiving the data from thecomputing device of cart 108. An example of alignment data is data thatindicates whether the associated position is properly aligned or is outof alignment, and can include height, width, and length related data.This data is used by the target 114 to properly illuminate positionindicators (e.g., 1230, 1232, and 1234 shown in FIG. 12) to visuallyindicate whether the associated point is currently out of position, andthe relative extent of the error.

In some embodiments, height values H1 and H2 are computed as a distancefrom a center point of optical detector 1208. In some embodiments alaser beam detected below the center point is given a positive value anda laser beam detected above the center point is given a negative value.This is done in some embodiments because raising of the frame wouldcause the laser beam 103 to strike lower on optical detector 1208, whilelowering the frame would cause the laser beam 103 to strike higher onoptical detector 1208.

In some embodiments, the heights H1 and H2 are further adjusted based ona known length of an attached stem. For example, if target 114 detects astem is attached, the target 114 determines which stem is connected toit (such as by checking a resistance of the resistor). A lookup tablecontained in memory of the target 114 is then used to identify thelength of that stem. Alternatively, the lookup table is stored in thescanner or on the computing device of the cart 108. The length is thenused to adjust height H1 and H2 to represent the height of a point onthe frame relative to the laser beams 103 b and 103 a.

As data from each of the targets 114 is returned to scanner 102, thescanner performs further processing on the data. For example, in someembodiments scanner 102 utilizes data from targets 114 to determinethree-dimensional points associated with the frame of the vehicle. Insome embodiments the points are computed in x, y, and z coordinates. Thethree-dimensional points are then sent, in some embodiments, to acomputing device, such as the computing device within cart 108. Thecomputing device can then utilize these points to perform variousmeasurements between the points. The measurements are compared to knowndata about the respective frame 94 to determine whether one or morepoints are not in their expected locations. If so, a message can becommunicated back to the targets (such as though scanner 102) to causetargets to display the appropriate position codes using positionindicators 1212.

Additional details regarding the computation of x, y, and z coordinatesare provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,181,856, issued on Feb. 27, 2007, byHanchett et al., and titled LASER MEASUREMENT SYSTEM.

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of an example bridge 106. Asdescribed in FIG. 1, bridge 106 is used in some embodiments to supportscanner 102 during operation. Bridge 106 can be arranged on top ofportions of lift system 80, and scanner 102 arranged on top of bridge106.

In this example, bridge 106 includes support members 2102 and 2104, andadjustable leg assemblies 2108. Support members 2102 are contoured tomatch the shape of recesses 252 and 254 of profiled bottom surface 250of scanner 102 (shown in FIG. 2). In some embodiments support members2102 and 2104 have substantially smooth surfaces, such after bridge 106has been arranged on lift 80, scanner 102 can be placed near one ofadjustable leg assemblies 2108 and then slid along bridge 106 untilscanner 102 is roughly at the center of bridge 106, such as above hinges2106.

In some embodiments, support members 2102 and 2104 are split into afirst side 2102 a and 2104 a and a second side 2102 b and 2104 b. Thesides are joined by hinges 2106 a and 2106 b. Hinges 2106 allow supportmembers 2102 and 2104 to fold between a fully extended position and afolded position.

Some embodiments of bridge 106 include a height adjustment featureprovided by adjustable leg assemblies 2108. Adjustable leg assemblies2108 are adjustable between a lowered position (shown in FIG. 21) and aheight adjustment position. When in the lowered position, legs 2110 and2112 can be used to provide added support and stability to bridge 106.

To adjust bridge 106 to the height adjustment position, a handle 2114 isprovided. A force F1 is applied by an operator to handle 2114 to releasea locking mechanism of adjustable leg assembly 2108. Adjustable legassembly 2108 is then free to pivot in pivot direction P22 about pivotaxis P21. Once adjustable leg assembly 2108 reaches the vertical heightadjustment position, and the force F1 is released from handle 2114,adjustable leg assembly 2108 locks in the height adjustment position.When in this position, bridge 106 is supported on lift 80 by legs 2110and 2112.

If additional height adjustment is desired, a force F1 is applied tohandle 2214, which causes adjustable leg assembly 2108 to release a lockon legs 2110 and 2112. The position of legs 2110 and 2112 can then beadjusted by pivoting legs 2110 and 2112 until bridge 106 is at thedesired height.

FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view of an example upper tramassembly 2200. In this example, upper tram assembly 2200 includes trammembers 2202, 2204, and 2206, hinges 2208 and 2210, riser stems 2212with feet 2214, tram stems 2216 with weights 2218, and adjustabletrolleys 2220.

In some embodiments, measurement system 100 includes upper tram assembly2200. The upper tram assembly 2200 can be connected to points of frame94 or body 92 that other target assemblies 104 themselves cannot reach.For example, upper tram assembly 2200 can be used to determine thepositions of shock towers of vehicle 90. In this example, feet 2214 areconnected to tops of the vehicle's shock towers and riser stems 2212raise and support upper tram members 2202, 2204, and 2206 a suitabledistance above the vehicle body.

Riser stems 2212 are connected to members 2202, 2204, or 2206 byadjustable trolleys 2220. Adjustable trolleys 2220 can be moved alongthe lengths of members 2202, 2204, or 2206 by squeezing buttons 2222inward. When squeezed, buttons 2222 allow trolleys 2220 to be slid by anoperator to the desired position. For example, trolleys 2220 areadjusted until they are separated by approximately the same distance asthe distance between the vehicle's shock towers.

It is typically preferred that adjustable trolleys 2220 each besubstantially an equal distance from a center point of upper tram 2200so that upper tram 2200 can remain balanced from one end to the other.To assist with this, ruled markings are provided on a top surface ofmembers 2202, 2204, and 2206 in some embodiments. The measurements can,for example, show the distance from the center point, or the distancefrom each respective end. In some embodiments, letters are associatedwith the ruled markings, such starting with the letter A at or about thecenter point of member 2204 and proceeding through part or all of thealphabet as the distance away from the center point increases in bothdirections. In this way, an operator can select the letter that providesthe proper distance, such as “G” and move the adjustable trolley 2220until it is aligned with the G marking. The operator can then move theother adjustable trolley to the corresponding letter (“G”) at the otherend of the upper tram. By moving the adjustable trolleys 2220 to thesame letters, the upper tram 2200 is properly balanced. The letterinformation is provided to a computing device in some embodiments, whichuses a lookup table to determine the distance between the adjustabletrolleys, which is also substantially the same as the distance betweenfeet 2214.

Tram stems 2216 are then provided to extend downward from upper trammembers 2202 and 2206, which are preferably positioned beyond the sidesof the vehicle frame and body. Weights 2218 are provided to increase thestability of upper tram 2200. Weights 2218 preferably have an equalweight, so as to maintain the balance of upper tram 2200.

In some embodiments tram stems 2216 include a stem attachment device atlower ends, which can be similar to stem engagement devices 808 shown inFIGS. 8-9. The stem attachment devices are configured to receive a stemfor supporting a target 114. The stem is selected to have a lengthsuitable to position the target 114 within the path of laser beams 103of scanner 102. If needed, upper stems (listed in Table 1) are used toprovide greater length.

Tram members 2202, 2204, and 2206 are connected by hinges 2208 and 2210that allow tram members 2202, 2204, and 2206 to fold and collapse into amore compact configuration for storage.

FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view of an example cart 108. In thisexample, cart 108 includes a body 2302, cover 2304, storage area 2306,retractable tray 2308, storage compartments such as drawers 2310, 2312,and 2314, storage regions 2316 and 2318, printer 2320, computing device2322 with display device 2324, and wheels 2326.

In some embodiments cart 108 is configured to store all components ofmeasurement system 100. The body 2302 forms the outer structure of thecart 108, and is preferably made of a strong material such as metal,which can be painted or anodized. In some embodiments, body 2302includes a hinged cover 2304 that pivots about a hinged axis betweenopened and closed positions. In some embodiments, gas springs are usedto support cover 2304 in the opened position and to prevent cover 2304from slamming shut when moved to the closed position.

In this example, a storage area 2306 is provided at the top of body2302. When cover 2304 is in the opened position, the storage area 2306is easily accessible by an operator. When cover 2304 is in the closedposition, the storage area 2306 is enclosed under cover 2304, whichoperates to keep out debris and moisture. The storage area 2306 includesreceptacles for storing most of the components of measurement system100, discussed herein, including scanner 102 (front center), targets 114(left and right of scanner 102), as well as the various different stems112 and attachment devices 110 (upper shelf and rear). In someembodiments, cart 108 includes charging receptacles, such as to providepower to targets 114, such as through charging contacts 1206. Electricalcircuitry for charging batteries of target 114 is contained either intarget 114 or in cart 108. Cart 108 receives power from an externalsource, such as by plugging in a power cord into an AC wall receptacle.Some embodiments include a digital camera for capturing digital images.Examples of digital images include pictures of a damaged vehicle,pictures of the vehicle during repair (such as to document the stepsthat were taken to repair the vehicle), and pictures showing the vehicleafter a repair has been completed.

Cover 2304 further supports display device 2324, which is mounted to theinner surface. When cover 2304 is in the closed position, cover 2304encloses and protects display device 2324. When cover 2304 is in theopen position, display device 2324 is held substantially verticallywhere it is easily visible by an operator.

Tray 2308 provides a slide-out work surface, such as for supporting akeyboard and a mouse. Tray 2308 has a retracted position in which it iswithin storage area 2306, and an extended position in which is outoutside of storage area 2306.

Additional storage compartments are provided in some embodiments, suchas drawers 2310, 2312, and 2314. In an example embodiment, drawer 2312stores a printer, for printing reports generating by computing device2322 out onto paper. In the example embodiment drawer 2314 storescomputing device 2322. An example of computing device 2322 is a desktopstyle personal computer.

In some embodiments body 2302 includes external storage regions 2316 and2318 for storing additional components of measurement system 100. As oneexample, storage region 2316 is configured to receive upper tram 2200,when the upper tram 2200 is in the collapsed storage position. Afastener such as a magnet or a belt is used to hold upper tram 2200securely in storage region 2316. Similarly, storage region 2318 isconfigured to receive bridge 106.

Wheels 2326 are provided in some embodiments to allow cart 108 to beeasily moved. An example of wheel 2326 is a swivel caster. Someembodiments include lockable wheels that can be locked by an operator toreduce movement of cart 108 during use or storage.

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an architecture of anexample computing device 2322. In one example, computing device 2322 isa personal computer. Other examples of computing device 2322 include alaptop computer, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), orother devices capable of processing data instructions. In someembodiments, computing device 2322 operates to execute the operatingsystem 2418, application programs 2420, and program modules 2422, and tostore and retrieve data from program data 2424.

Computing device 2322 includes, in some embodiments, at least oneprocessor 2402. A variety of processing devices are available from avariety of manufacturers, for example, Intel or Advanced Micro Devices.In this example, computing device 2322 also includes system memory 2404,and system bus 2406 that couples various system components includingsystem memory 2404 to processor 2402. System bus 2406 is one of anynumber of types of bus structures including a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofbus architectures.

System memory 2404 includes read-only memory 2408 and random accessmemory 2410. Basic input/output system 2412, containing the basicroutines that act to transfer information within computing device 2322,such as during start up, is typically stored in read-only memory 2408.

Computing device 2322 also includes secondary storage device 2414 insome embodiments, such as a hard disk drive, for storing digital data.Secondary storage device 2414 is connected to system bus 2406 bysecondary storage interface 2416. Secondary storage devices 2414 andtheir associated computer readable media provide nonvolatile storage ofcomputer readable instructions (including application programs andprogram modules), data structures, and other data for computing device2322.

Although the exemplary architecture described herein employs a hard diskdrive as a secondary storage device, other types of computer readablemedia are included in other embodiments. Examples of these other typesof computer readable media include magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, compact disc read onlymemories, digital versatile disk read only memories, random accessmemories, or read only memories.

A number of program modules can be stored in secondary storage device2414 or system memory 2404, including operating system 2418, one or moreapplication programs 2420, other program modules 2422, and program data2424.

In some embodiments, a user provides inputs to the computing device 2322through one or more input devices 2430. Examples of input devices 2430include keyboard 2432, mouse 2434, and touch screen 2436 (or a touchpad). Other embodiments include other input devices 2430, such as amicrophone 2438 for receiving voice commands. Input devices 2430 areoften connected to the processor 2402 through input/output interface2440 that is coupled to system bus 2406. These input devices 2430 can beconnected by any number of input/output interfaces, such as a parallelport, serial port, game port, or a universal serial bus. Wirelesscommunication between input devices and interface 2440 is possible aswell, and includes infrared, BLUETOOTH® wireless technology,802.11a/b/g/n wireless communication (or other wireless communicationprotocols), cellular communication, or other radio frequencycommunication systems in some possible embodiments.

In some embodiments, a display device 2324, such as a monitor, liquidcrystal display device, projector, or touch screen display device 2436,is also connected to system bus 2406 via an interface, such as videoadapter 2444. In addition to display device 2324, the computing device2322 can include various other peripheral devices (not shown), such asspeakers or a printer 2320.

When used in a local area networking environment or a wide areanetworking environment (such as the Internet), computing device 2322 istypically connected to network 2452 through a network interface oradapter 2450. Other possible embodiments use other communicationdevices. For example, some embodiments of computing device 2322 includea modem for communicating across network 2452. For example, in someembodiments a network interface or adapter 2450 permits computing device2322 to communicate with a remote server or other remote computingdevice. As an example, the remote server includes a database that storesvehicle frame dimensions and other vehicle data. The data can bedownloaded by computing device 2322 from the server through networkadapter 2450.

Computing device 2322 typically includes at least some form ofcomputer-readable media. Computer readable media include any availablemedia that can be accessed by computing device 2322. By way of example,computer-readable media include computer readable storage media andcommunication media.

Computer readable storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any device configuredto store information, such as computer readable instructions, datastructures, operating systems 2418, application programs 2420, programmodules 2422, program data 2424, or other data. System memory 2404 is anexample of computer readable storage media. Computer readable storagemedia includes, but is not limited to, read-only memory 2408, randomaccess memory 2410, electrically erasable programmable read only memory,flash memory or other memory technology, compact disc read only memory,digital versatile disks or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium that can be used to store the desired informationand that can be accessed by computing device 2322.

Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way ofexample, communication media includes wired media such as a wirednetwork or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic,radio frequency, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of anyof the above are also included within the scope of computer readablemedia.

FIGS. 25-31 are screen shots of an example application program 2420. Theapplication program 2420 utilizes data received from scanner 102 andtargets 114 to generate various reports, such as in the form of userinterface displays, electronic reports, or printed reports.

Although the application program 2420 is described herein as operatingon computing device 2322, the application program 2420 can alternativelyoperate on another computing device. For example, in some embodimentsapplication program 2420 operates on a remote server, acting as anapplication service provider. The computing device 2322 interacts withthe remote server, for example, using a browser software application.The browser software application generates user interface displaysdefined by data received from the remote server according to a protocol,such as hypertext markup language or various other protocols.

FIG. 25 is a screen shot of an example user interface 2502 ofapplication program 2420. In this example, application program 2420 hasreceived data from scanner 102 and targets 114 identifying the positionof various points of a vehicle frame. Application program 2420 thenprocesses the data to determine whether the point locations matchexpected point locations.

Expected point locations are extracted from a database ofvehicle-specific data. The database contains a large amount ofinformation regarding expected point locations and distances betweenpoint locations for a specific vehicle. An example of a database ofvehicle-specific data is the Mitchell Information Center, and morespecifically the Vehicle Dimensions Module distributed by MitchellInternational, Inc. headquartered in San Diego, Calif. In anotherpossible embodiment, the data is stored on a server, and is available tocomputing devices as needed. In another possible embodiment, the data isstored in a computing device, such as the computing device in cart 108.

In order to retrieve the appropriate vehicle data from the database,application program 2420 first needs to know what vehicle is currentlybeing examined. In one embodiment, application program 2420 prompts theoperator to enter the vehicles make, model, and year. In anotherembodiment, application program 2420 prompts the user to scan a barcodeassociated with the vehicle's vehicle identification number (VIN). Oncethe VIN is known, the make, model, and year are retrieved from a lookuptable or database.

Data for the vehicle being examined is then retrieved from the databaseof vehicle-specific data. The data is then compared with data receivedfrom scanner 102 and targets 114 representing actual locations of framepoints on the vehicle being examined. For example, distances betweenpoints are compared with expected distances between points. Theapplication program 2420 then determines whether some or all of thepoint locations are not properly positioned. This indicates, forexample, that the frame has become bent at that location, such as due toa collision. In some embodiments, the application program 2420 operatesto check the vehicle frame for various types of damage, such as one ormore of sway damage, banana damage, twist damage, diamond damage, mashdamage, kick up or kick down damage, and other types of damage.

In some embodiments, the results are graphically displayed in userinterface 2502. Graphical elements 2504 are used, in some embodiments tographically illustrate the direction that a portion of a frame needs tobe bent in order to return the frame portion to the proper location. Inthis example, graphical elements 2504 are vector arrows. The arrowspoint in the direction in which the frame portion needs to be bent, andthe length of the arrow represents the degree of bending that isrequired. A longer arrow, for example, indicates that a larger degree ofbending is needed than a shorter arrow.

Color coding of frame portions is used in some embodiments of userinterface 2502. As one example, frame portions that are properlypositioned are displayed in a first color, such as white or gray. Frameportions that are slightly mis-positioned are displayed in a secondcolor, such as yellow. Frame portions that are the greatly misalignedare displayed in a third color, such as red. More, fewer, or additionalcolor codes are used in other possible embodiments.

In some embodiments, application program 2420 utilizes data regardingframe materials and/or material properties. This data is then used byapplication program 2420 to provide additional information to theoperator, such as through user interface 2502. For example, someembodiments include color coding based on materials or materialproperties. An example of a material property is the tensile strength oryield strength of the material. Some vehicle frames now include framecomponents that are made of high tensile materials, such as aluminum.These materials may become permanently damaged if sufficient force isapplied to them, and it may be preferred that such frame components bereplaced rather than repaired. In some embodiments a finite elementanalysis is performed by application program 2420 to determine whether ayield strength of the material is likely to have been exceeded. Colorcoding of such materials in user interface 2502 aids the operator inknowing whether or not to try to repair a damaged frame component or toreplace it instead. Color coding can additionally or alternatively beprovided to indicate portions in which the yield strength has beenexceeded. An alert or warning message may also be displayed to theoperator in some embodiments to provide this or additional information.

In some embodiments user interface 2502 includes a graphicalrepresentation of the frame. Some embodiments display athree-dimensional graphical representation of the frame. Thethree-dimensional graphical representation can be rotated using a mouseor other input device to provide inputs into user interface 2502.

In some embodiments the graphical representation of the vehicle frame isa graphical representation of the expected shape of the frame. In otherembodiments, however, the graphical representation shows a livethree-dimensional representation of the frame of the vehicle currentlybeing examined. In this example, if a portion of the vehicle frame isbent, the three-dimensional representation graphically illustrates thatportion as being bent by the amount measured by the measurement system100. If the frame is being repaired, user interface 2502 automaticallyupdates the display to show the new position of the portion of the frameas it is bent back to the proper position.

FIG. 26 is a screen shot of an example user interface 2602 ofapplication program 2420. User interface 2602 includes a dimensions tabthat is selected. User interface 2602 provides graphical representationsof portions of the vehicle and provides dimensional data showingdistances between selected points of the portions of the vehicle. Insome embodiments portions of the vehicle include the attachment points(to which target assemblies 104 can be connected), under body, or upperbody.

FIG. 27 is a screen shot of an example user interface 2702 ofapplication program 2420. User interface 2702 includes a report tab thatis selected. The report tab is selected by the operator when theoperator wants to generate a report. An example of a report is a vehicledamage report that identifies what damage was found by measurementsystem 100. In some embodiments, the report includes pictures of thevehicle showing the damage, and if desired, can also include pictures ofthe vehicle during or after the repair. In some embodiments the vehicledamage report also identifies what repairs are required or recommended,and an estimate of the costs associated with the repairs. The report canbe saved, printed, or e-mailed. As discussed in more detail herein, thereports can be printed and given directly (or mailed) to the owner or aninsurance adjuster, or can be stored in electronic format and sentelectronically, such as via an e-mail message.

FIG. 28 is a screen shot of an example user interface 2802 ofapplication program 2420. User interface 2802 includes an estimate tabthat is selected. User interface 2802 assists an operator in generatingan estimate for a repair. In some embodiments application program 2420automatically populates fields with data based on the damage that wasdetected by the measurement system 100. The operator can then review thesuggestions and make any desired changes, before finalizing theestimate.

FIG. 29 is a screen shot of an example user interface 2902 ofapplication program 2420. User interface 2902 includes a measurement tab2904 that is selected. User interface 2902 graphically illustrates pointdata, such as expected point locations and/or actual point locationsmeasured on the vehicle. User interface 2902 can display additionalinformation, such as recommended repairs (such as a recommendeddirection for bending) or a summary of the damage that has beendetected. Color coding is used in some embodiments to show a degree ofdamage for a given point.

FIG. 30 is a screen shot of an example user interface 3002 ofapplication program 2420. User interface 3002 includes a setup tab 3004that is selected. User interface 3002 is used, for example, to assist anoperator in setting up measurement system 100, such as by displaying aplurality of different points to which target assemblies 104 can beconnected. The user interface 3002 shows what target assemblies 104 arecurrently connected to the frame and active, what stems are currentlybeing used, and the positions of each of the target assemblies. If atarget assembly 104 has not yet been installed, user interface 3002suggests the stem length that should be appropriate for a given point(by identifying the color of the stem, for example), and assists theoperator in identifying the correct point, such as by providing aphotograph that shows what the point looks like on an actual vehicle.

FIG. 31 is a screen shot of an example user interface 3102 ofapplication program 2420. User interface 3102 includes an order tab 3104that is selected. User interface 3102 is used, for example, to setup arepair order. The user interface 3102 prompts the user to enter variousinformation, such as accident data, technician information, customerinformation, vehicle information, insurance company information, anyspecial instructions or notes, and photographs (such as illustratingdamage that was detected).

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an examplecommunication network 3200 associated with measurement system 100. Inthis example, communication network 3200 includes test site 3202,insurance company 3204, remote assistance 3206, and vehicle owner 3208.

Test site 3202 is the location at which an inspection of vehicle 90 isperformed by measurement system 100. As discussed herein, someembodiments of measurement system 100 include a computing device 2322.Computing device 2322 is configured to communicate digital data acrossnetwork 2452, such as the Internet or other wired or wireless datacommunication network. In some embodiments computing device 2322operates to communicate data to one or more of insurance company 3204,remote assistance 3206, and vehicle owner 3208.

Insurance company 3204 is an example of a third-party that cancommunicate with measurement system 100. For example, in someembodiments measurement system 100 generates a report following theinspection of vehicle 90 and sends the report to the insurance company3204. An electronic report can be sent, for example, as an attachment toan e-mail message, through a web site, or through a custom softwareinterface. Insurance company 3204 includes a computing device 3210 thatreceives the message from computing device 2322. A user U2, such as anemployee of the insurance company, reviews the report and determineswhether or not the insurance company will pay for a repair of thevehicle. A message is then sent from computing device 3210 to computingdevice 2322 authorizing or denying the repair request. This processcould be completed within a short period of time, such as within minutesor several hours, allowing the repair to begin shortly after the damagehas been detected or confirmed.

In addition or alternatively, an electronic report generated bymeasurement system 100 can be communicated in a message by computingdevice 2322 to the vehicle owner 3208. For example, user U4, who ownsthe vehicle, can receive the report via computing device 3212.

Some embodiments of measurement system 100 further include a remoteassistance feature. In this example, a technician U3 located at a remoteassistance site can assist operator U1 in diagnosing problemsencountered during the use of measurement system 100. In anotherpossible embodiment, remote assistance 3206 automatically provides andinstalls software updates to computing device 2322 or measurement system100.

FIGS. 33-44 are screen shots of another an example application program2420, shown in FIG. 24.

In some embodiments, application program 2420 is stored and operates ona computing device located in a body shop or other repair facility. Inother embodiments, application program 2420 is stored and operates on aweb server. A computing device located in a body shop or other repairfacility accesses the web server across a communication network, such asthe Internet, retrieves data from the web server, and generates a userinterface based on the data. In some embodiments a browser softwareapplication operating on the computing device generates the userinterface. Data is communicated using a standard network datacommunication protocol, in some embodiments, such as hypertext markuplanguage. Other embodiments utilize other data communication protocols.

FIG. 33 is a screen shot of an example user interface 3300. In thisexample, user interface 3300 includes menu bar 3302, current orderwindow 3304, toolbar 3306, and main window 3308. An example toolbar 3306includes a plurality of selectable controls, such as shop order control3310, customer control 3312, insurance control 3314, vehicle control3316, setup control 3318, measure control 3320, dimensions control 3322,estimate control 3324, reports control 3326, photos control 3328, printcontrol 3330, and exit control 3332.

In some embodiments, user interface 3300 is displayed on a displaydevice when the software application is first executed by a computingdevice. The user interface provides selectable controls to access avariety of tools. For example, a menu bar 3302 provides a plurality ofdrop down menus where tools can be selected. In this example, the menubar 3302 includes a file menu, an edit menu, a view menu, a tools menu,an options menu, a diagnostics menu, and a help menu. The file menuprovides tools for file management, such as to open, save, or printfiles. The edit menu provides edit tools, such as to cut, copy, paste,and undo tools. The view menu provides tools to adjust or change viewsof the user interface, such as to zoom in or out, change to full screenmode, and show or hide features of user interface 3300. The options menuprovides tools to change user-configurable options, such as whether touse English or metric units, change color schemes, and select the modelof laser measurement device to be used. The diagnostics menu providestools to perform diagnostics on the system. Help menu provides tools toaccess help files, request remote assistance, and display informationabout the version of the software application that is currently running.

Current order window 3304 is provided in user interface 3300 to displayinformation about a current shop order that is being worked on. It isblank in FIG. 33 because no shop order is currently selected.

Toolbar 3306 provides a plurality of selectable controls whereadditional tools can be selected. Tools in toolbar 3306 are arranged inthis example in the order, from left to right, that they are commonlyused. However, the tools can be used in any desired order. Toolsprovided by controls 3310, 3312, 3314, 3316, 3318, 3320, 3322, 3324,3326, and 3328 are described in more detail herein. Print control 3330is selected to print information displayed in user interface. In anotherpossible embodiment, print tool 3330 is provided to print a report, asdiscussed below. When use of the software application is completed, theuser can select exit control 3332 to close and exit the softwareapplication.

Main window 3308 provides a workspace for the various tools of thesoftware application, as described in more detail herein.

FIG. 34 is a screen shot of the user interface 3300 including an exampleshop order window 3400.

To begin a new shop order, the user selects shop order control 3310.Upon selection, user interface 3300 displays shop order window 3400. Theshop order window includes fields where information about the shop ordercan be entered, stored, and displayed, and also includes a plurality ofselectable controls, such as including an update control 3402, suspendcontrol 3404, open control 3406, and cancel control 3408.

In this example, the shop order information includes a work number, ahat number, a job entered date, a job completed date, a frametechnician, a detail technician, a customer name, insurance company,insurance policy number, a vehicle identification number, a licenseplate number, a license state, an odometer reading, and a vehicle color.Other embodiments include more or fewer data fields. The work number isa unique number that the repair shop uses to identify the project. Thehat number is a number placed on or in the vehicle to identify thevehicle.

After the information has been entered, the user selects open control3406 to open the new shop order. At this time, current order window 3304is updated with the information about the shop order, such as the workorder number, make and model of the vehicle, and name of the customer.

Update control 3402 is provided to save information entered into shoporder window 3400 without opening a new shop order. Suspend control 3404is provided to temporarily or permanently close a shop order, such asafter a repair has been completed, or to temporarily remove the shoporder from the pending orders list while waiting for a part to arrive.Cancel control 3408 is used to discard changes made in shop order window3400 and close the window.

Some embodiments also include an add photos control 3410, which can beselected to add photos to a shop order. Upon selection, an add photoswindow is displayed that allows a user to select photos to add to theshop order, such as by browsing through a set of available photographs,or by selecting the location of the file from a hard drive or networkdrive.

FIG. 35 is a screen shot of the user interface 3300 including an examplecustomer window 3500.

The customer window 3500 is displayed in main window 3308, for example,after the user has selected customer control 3312. The customer window3500 includes a plurality of customer data fields where informationabout the customer can be entered, stored, and subsequently displayed.The customer window 3500 also includes a plurality of selectablecontrols, such as including a send e-mail control 3502, add to shoporder control 3504, OK control 3506, and cancel control 3508.

Customer window 3500 is used to store and display information about thecustomer whose vehicle is being evaluated or repaired. A variety ofinformation fields can be provided, such as first and last name, a nameto be displayed, a company name, an address, a telephone number (ormultiple telephone numbers), a fax number, and an e-mail address. Moreor less information can be stored in the customer window, as desired.For example, some embodiments include a notes field for receivingadditional notes about the customer or customer's preferences (such asthe customer's preferred method of being contacted).

After the customer's information has been entered, the OK button isselected to save the information and close the customer window 3500. Thecustomer's information can later be accessed by again selecting customercontrol 3312, in which case the customer window 3500 is displayedcontaining the previously entered and saved customer information. Insome embodiments, a list of customers is first displayed and the user isprompted to select the desired customer. In another embodiment, a searchwindow is displayed to permit the user to search for a desired customer,such as by requesting part or all of the customer's name as a searchquery, and then performing a search through the customer list for anycustomers that match the search query. Upon selection of the customer,the customer window 3500 is displayed.

Customer window 3500 includes, in some embodiments, a send e-mailcontrol 3502. The send e-mail control allows the user to quicklyinitiate an e-mail to the customer. For example, upon selection of sende-mail control, an e-mail program is called, such as Microsoft®Outlook®, and a new e-mail template is opened. The addressee isautomatically addressed to the customer based on the e-mail entered intothe customer's e-mail address field of customer window 3500. The text ofthe e-mail is then be entered by the user and sent. If desired, anattachment can be included with the e-mail, such as a copy of a reportgenerated by the software application (such as discussed in more detailherein), an image of the vehicle, or other attachments.

An add to shop order control 3504 is included, in some embodiments, toassociate the customer with a shop order. In some embodiments, thecustomer data is associated with the currently active shop order, uponselection of the add to shop order control 3504. In another embodiment,a list of active shop orders is displayed and the user is prompted toselect the appropriate shop order.

When the customer window 3500 is displayed, the cancel control 3508 canbe selected. Upon selection, the customer window 3500 is closed and anychanges that have been made to the customer information, if any, arediscarded and not saved.

FIG. 36 is a screen shot of the user interface 3300 including an exampleinsurance company selection menu 3600.

Insurance companies are often involved in the repair of vehicles. As aresult, user interface 3300 includes an insurance company selection menu3600 that is displayed upon selection of the insurance company control3314. In this example, insurance company selection menu 3600 includes anone option 3602, add new option 3604, and a plurality of insurancecompany selection controls 3606, 3608, 3610, etc.

If the customer does not have insurance on the vehicle, or prefers notto involve the insurance company in the evaluation or repair, the noneoption 3602 can be selected to indicate that an insurance company willnot be involved.

If the customer's insurance company is not already included in insurancecompany selection menu 3600, add new option 3604 can be selected. Uponselection, an insurance company information window is displayed thatincludes a plurality of fields for entering the insurance company'sinformation, such as the name of the company, address, telephone number,e-mail address, and web site for the company. In some embodiments, datafields are also provided for receiving information about the insuranceagent, such as the agent's name, contact information, etc. In someembodiments, a send e-mail control is provided in the insurance companyinformation window, which operates similar to the send e-mail control3502 described with reference to FIG. 35. The e-mail can be used tocommunicate with the insurance company or agent, such as to requestauthorization to proceed with a repair.

Insurance company menu 3600 maintains a list of commonly used insurancecompanies, such as insurance company 1 (control 3606), insurance company2 (control 3608), and insurance company 3 (control 3610). If thecustomer's vehicle is insured by one of the listed insurance companies,the control (3606, 3608, 3610) associated with that insurance company isselected from the list. In some embodiments, upon selection of theinsurance company, an insurance details window is displayed to obtainadditional information about the insurance, such as a policy number,claim number, agent, agent contact information, etc. Once all of theinsurance company information has been entered, the information issaved.

FIG. 37 is a screen shot of the user interface 3300 including an examplevehicle menu 3700.

Vehicle menu 3700 is displayed upon selection of the vehicle control3316. The vehicle menu 3700 prompts the user to identify the particularvehicle that is to be evaluated or repaired. In this example, vehiclemenu 3700 begins by prompting the user to select the vehiclemanufacturer's name. Vehicle menu 3700 includes custom option 3702 thatcan be selected if the vehicle is a custom made vehicle, or a vehiclemanufactured by a manufacturer that is not included in vehicle menu3700. Otherwise, the manufacturer is selected from the list, such asmanufacturer 1 (option 3704), manufacturer 2 (option 3706), manufacturer3 (option 3708), etc.

After selection of the manufacturer, additional information about thevehicle is requested by additional menus or prompts. For example, thelist of models manufactured by the selected manufacturer are displayed.The user selects the model from the list. In some embodiments, a list ofmodel years is displayed, and the user is prompted to select the modelyear. In some embodiments, a list of styles of the selected model aredisplayed, and the user is prompted to select a particular style (e.g.,number of doors, two or four wheel drive, sport or touring, etc.). Afterthe vehicle has been identified, the vehicle information is saved.

FIG. 38 is a screen shot of the user interface 3300 including an examplesetup window 3802. The setup window 3802 graphically depicts the setupof portions of the laser measurement system in user interface 3300, andassists the operator in properly setting up or troubleshooting thesystem. In this example, setup window 3802 graphically depicts vehiclepoints 3804, a currently selected vehicle point 3806, targets 3810,target storage region 3812, point properties window 3814, parts in/outcontrol 3816, and damage assumption control 3818.

In some embodiments, the software application accesses avehicle-specific data file, such as obtained from a database ofvehicle-specific data as discussed herein. The vehicle data fileprovides information about various points of the vehicle that can beused for measurement. In this example, at least some of these vehiclepoints are displayed in setup window 3802 as vehicle points 3804. Inthis example, setup window 3802 illustrates the vehicle points from atop view. Other views are provided in other embodiments, such as bottomor side views. Other details of a vehicle are shown in some embodiments,such as an outline of the vehicle, or outline of vehicle parts, etc.

Before targets have been connected to the vehicle points, a targetstorage region 3812 includes graphical representations of targets. Whena target is displayed within target storage region 3812, it indicatesthat the respective target is currently not connected to the vehicle, orthat a laser beam has not yet been detected by the target. In anotherpossible embodiment, the depiction of a target within target storageregion 3812 indicates that the target is currently stored within cart108.

After a target is removed from cart 108 and the target is properlyconnected to the vehicle frame, setup window 3802 updates to graphicallydepict the location of the target 3810. The location of the targetassembly is determined as discussed herein, which permits the softwareapplication to determine which vehicle point 3804 the target isconnected to. The target 3810 is then depicted as being connected tothat vehicle point 3804. When no targets 3810 are depicted in targetstorage region 3812, as shown in FIG. 38, it indicates that all of thetargets are currently in use.

In another possible embodiment, target locations can be manually enteredby selecting a target 3810 and identifying a vehicle point 3804 wherethe target has been connected, such as by clicking on the vehicle point3804, or by typing in an identifier of the target and/or vehicle point.For example, in this example each target is identified with an ID numberfrom 1 to 12.

When a vehicle point 3804 is selected, such as selected vehicle point3806, additional information about that point is displayed. In thisexample, a graphical depiction 3813 of the vehicle point is illustratedin setup window 3802. In some embodiments, the graphical depiction 3813is a photograph of a portion of the same make and model of vehicleshowing the location of the selected point on an actual vehicle. Anarrow or other graphical element can be used to specifically identifythe location, in some embodiments. Examples of vehicle points includebolts, holes, or other parts or features of the vehicle that areoriginally positioned at known locations.

Some embodiments include a point properties window that providesadditional information about a selected point 3806. In this example, thepoint properties window includes an identifier (e.g., JR), number of atarget currently connected to the point (none, in this example), theposition of the point (e.g., height, width, and length), a recommendedstem size, a recommended adapter type and size, a parts in/out control,and a damage assumption control 3818.

The damage assumption control 3818 can be selected to identify whether apart should be assumed to be damaged or not damaged. It is helpful forthe system to know if there are parts of the vehicle frame that do notappear to be damaged. These parts can, for example, be initially used asthe reference locations for measurements to other locations. However,even if a part is initially assumed to be undamaged, calculations can bemade in some embodiments to confirm whether any damage has beensustained to these locations, if desired.

FIG. 39 is a screen shot of the user interface 3300 including an examplemeasurement window 3902.

Measurement window 3902 is displayed, for example the measure control3320 has been selected from toolbar 3306. In some embodiments, themeasurement window 3902 includes several views, which can be selectedusing 3D view control 3920, plan view control 3922, and side viewcontrol 3924. FIG. 39 depicts the 3D view associated with 3D viewcontrol 3920. Additional views are shown in FIGS. 40 and 41.

When in the 3D view, the measurement window 3902 depicts a graphicalrepresentation 3904 of the vehicle, or a portion of the vehicle. In thisexample, the vehicle's frame is shown. When in the 3D view, inputs canbe provided into the measurement window 3902 to manipulate the graphicalrepresentation 3904, such as to rotate, pan, and zoom the graphicalrepresentation to the desired position. For example, the graphicalrepresentation can be rotated to a top view, a side view, a bottom view,or any desired perspective view. Inputs include, for example, input froma mouse, keyboard, or other input device. As one example, clickingwithin measurement window 3902 and then moving the mouse right or leftcauses the graphical representation 3904 to rotate about a vertical axisparallel to the display. Up or down movement causes the graphicalrepresentation 3904 to rotate about a horizontal axis parallel to thedisplay. Zooming in or out is accomplished using a scroll wheel, such asby holding down a function key (e.g., CTRL) while rotating the scrollwheel. Other inputs can be used in other embodiments to control thedisplay of graphical representation 3904 in measurement window 3902.

In some embodiments, the graphical representation 3904 of the vehicleframe is a graphical representation 3904 of a frame (or other portion ofa vehicle) according to the manufacturer's original specifications, suchas shown in FIG. 39.

In another possible embodiment, the graphical representation 3904depicts the actual measured positions of the vehicle points includingany detected damage. To do so, the system determines the actuallocations of vehicle points and compares these locations to themanufacturer's original specifications. Those points that are notlocated at or within a determined range of tolerances from the originalspecifications are determined to be damaged. Accordingly, the graphicalrepresentation 3904 is adjusted from the original specification toactual location. The portions of the frame between the point andadjacent points are graphically depicted as being bent or otherwisedisplaced in some embodiments.

In the example shown in FIG. 39, the portion of the vehicle is depictedaccording to the manufacturer's original specifications. The actuallocations of frame points are depicted with graphical elements 3906. Ifan actual location of a vehicle point is different from the originallocation of the point, the graphical element 3906 is graphicallydepicted as being spaced from the associated vehicle point. This showsthe operator that the vehicle is damaged at that point, and illustratesthe extent of the damage.

Some embodiments include an error indicator 3908. The error indicator isa graphical element that graphically depicts a vector showing both theextent of the damage (i.e., the relative amount of displacement) as wellas the direction of the displacement. In one example embodiment, theerror indicator points in the direction that the damaged point is fromthe original point. In another possible embodiment, indicator 3908 is acorrection indicator that points in the opposite direction, to depictthe direction that the point would need to be moved in order to correctthe damage. If the measured vehicle points are within the tolerance ofthe original points, no error indicator 3908 is displayed.

Some embodiments graphically illustrate the extent of damage directly onthe frame (or other portion of a vehicle) itself. For example, damageindicator 3908 indicates that the associated portion of the vehicleframe has been bent downward. That portion of the frame is graphicallydepicted with a color, such as red, which indicates that the portion ishighly displaced from the original location. A portion that has only amoderate displacement from the original location is displayed in anothercolor, such as yellow, in some embodiments. Portions of the frame thatare not damaged, are displayed in a different color, such as green. Moreor fewer colors are used in other embodiments.

For example, in some embodiments a color (e.g., orange) is used todisplay a portion of a frame has been so damaged that it should not berepaired, but instead requires replacement. In some embodiments, thecolor used is a function of the type of material that the portion of thevehicle is made out of. In some embodiments, the color is a function ofyield strength of the material for that portion of the vehicle. Forexample, a high tensile strength material, such as aluminum, may bepermanently damaged with a small displacement. The portion of thevehicle can therefore be displayed with a color, such as orange, toindicate that the portion of the vehicle has exceeded the yield strengthand should be replaced rather than being repaired.

Various additional tools are provided in some embodiments, such as theexemplary tools that are accessible through controls 3926, 3928, and3930. Control 3926 is provided to adjust the scaling of the errorindicator 3908. For example, in FIG. 39 the error vectors 3908 aredepicted at thirty times the actual displacement. The scale can beincreased or decreased through control 3926.

Tolerance control 3928 is provided to set or adjust vehicle pointtolerances. The tolerances, as discussed above, are used to determinewhether a difference between a measured actual vehicle point and amanufacturer's original point location amounts to damage. In someembodiments, the default tolerance value is 3 mm. Other tolerances areused in other embodiments. In some embodiments the original tolerance isreceived from the manufacturer's vehicle-specific data file.

Snapshot control 3930 is provided to capture a screen shot ofmeasurement window 3902. Upon selection of snapshot control 3930, adigital image of measurement window 3902 is saved for later use. Forexample, the digital image is stored in the photos section (associatedwith photos control 3328), and can be later inserted into a report orsaved in the repair file.

In some embodiments, the data depicted in measurement window 3900 isreal-time, such that measurement window 3900 is updated shortly afterdata is received from components of the laser measurement system. Forexample, the measurement window 3900 is displayed while the scanner isscanning the targets. Upon detection of the laser, the target sendsinformation to the scanner, which then relays the information back tothe computing device. The computing device processes the data, anddisplays the information in measurement window 3902 (or one of the otherwindows described herein, such as the plan view measurement window 4000or side view measurement window 4100, shown in FIGS. 41 and 42). If atarget is moved, such as by bending the corresponding portion of thevehicle's frame, the data is updated shortly thereafter to depict thenewly detected position. As a result, the measurement windows can beused to assist a technician in adjusting the vehicle portion back to theoriginal position by providing real-time feedback to the technician asthe adjustment is taking place.

FIG. 40 is a screen shot of the user interface 3300 including an exampleplan view measurement window 4000. The plan view measurement window 4000provides an alternative view to the 3D measurement window 3902, shown inFIG. 39. The plan view measurement window 4000 is displayed, forexample, upon selection of plan view control 3922.

In this example, plan view measurement window 4000 provides a graphicalrepresentation of the vehicle from a top (or bottom) view. Morespecifically, the window illustrates a plurality of vehicle points,including vehicle points 4002 where a target assembly is currentlyattached. A two-dimensional error indicator 4004 is displayed, in someembodiments, to visually indicate the extend of damage and the directionof the damage. Alternatively, the error indicator 4108 points in acorrection direction—the direction that the point needs to move in orderto correct the error.

In some embodiments, additional information about the measured error isdisplayed, such as with an error flag 4006. The error flag 4006 includesa window that displays the error measurements. In this example, theerror measurements are displayed in all three directions, including aheight error 4008 (49), a width error 4010 (8), and a length error 4012(6). In some embodiments, the error is displayed in units ofmillimeters, but other units are used in other embodiments. If desired,the direction of the error can also be indicated, such as using adirection code (e.g., up/down, left/right, front/rear).

In some embodiments, error displays 4008, 4010, and 4012 are color codedto indicate the amount of damage in the respective direction for thatvehicle point. The color code can be, for example, a background color, afont color, a border color, a color of an adjacent graphical element, ora color of the vehicle point in plan view measurement window 4000. Insome embodiments, the color codes displayed in the error flag 4006 arethe same as the color codes displayed on the target itself (e.g., withposition indicators 1230, 1232, and 1234 shown in FIG. 12). In someembodiments, the colors indicate whether the associated vehicle point isdamaged, and the extent of the damage.

FIG. 41 is a screen shot of the user interface 3300 including an exampleside view measurement window 4100. The side view measurement window 4100provides another alternative view to the 3D measurement window 3902(FIG. 39), and the plan view measurement window 4000 (FIG. 40). The sideview measurement window 4100 is displayed, for example, upon selectionof side view control 3924.

In this example, side view measurement window 4100 includes a right sideview 4102 and a left side view 4104. In some embodiments, both viewsillustrate the front of the car at the left of the display, and the rearof the car at the right of the display.

The side view measurement window 4100 is similar to the plan viewmeasurement window 4000 (FIG. 40), but permits the user to more easilyvisualize height dimensions. The side view measurement window 4100includes a plurality of vehicle points. Point 4106 is a vehicle pointthat is currently attached to a target. A two-dimensional error indictor4108 is displayed to show the extent of the error, and the direction ofthe damage. Alternatively, the error indicator 4108 points in acorrection direction—the direction that the point needs to move in orderto correct the error.

The error flags shown in FIG. 40 are also be displayed in the side viewmeasurement window 4100, in some embodiments.

FIG. 42 is a screen shot of the user interface 3300 including an examplevehicle dimensions window 4200. The vehicle information window isdisplayed, for example, upon selection of dimensions control 3322.

Vehicle dimensions window 4200 displays data regarding the particularvehicle that was selected through the vehicle selection process, such asdescribed with reference to FIG. 37. In some embodiments, avehicle-specific data file (or set of files) is obtained from a databaseof vehicle-specific data.

Vehicle-specification data is displayed in vehicle dimensions window4200. In some embodiments, the vehicle specific data includes graphicalrepresentations of portions of the vehicle. In some embodiments, therepresentations of portions of the vehicle also illustrate and specifydimensions of various parts of the vehicle, such as the enginecompartment, the windshield, the front door, the rear door, the insidepassenger compartment, the deck lid, the frame, etc. Some graphicalrepresentations illustrate specific points of the vehicle that are usedas endpoints for certain dimensions.

FIG. 43 is a screen shot of the user interface 3300 including an exampleestimate window 4300. The estimate window 4300 is displayed, forexample, upon selection of the estimate control 3324.

In some embodiments, the estimate window 4300 provides a user interfacefor generating a list of necessary repairs and an estimate of the costfor the repair shop to complete the repair.

As one example embodiment, the estimate window 4300 includes aspreadsheet template including a plurality of columns and rows. Each rowis used to identify one step or repair that needs to be performed. Aplurality of columns is included where additional information about therepair can be documented. In this example, the columns include a processcolumn 4302, location column 4304, damage type column 4306, point column4308, repair direction column 4310, damage extent column 4312, timeestimate column 4314, hourly rate column 4316, and cost column 4318.

For each repair to be performed, the information about that step isentered in the respective columns. In some embodiments, certain cellsinclude a drop down menu which, when selected, presents the user with aset of common entries to select from.

The process column 4302 is provided to describe the repair that needs tobe performed. In some embodiments, the process column includes, forexample, a drop down menu that includes setup and measure, straightenand align, repair damage to, and other common repair processes.

The location column 4304 identifies a general location on the vehiclewhere the repair is needed. In some embodiments, location column 4304includes a drop down menu that includes, for example, A pillar, Bpillar, rear, front, rear uni body, etc.

The damage type column 4306 identifies a type of damage that hasoccurred. In some embodiments, the damage type column 4306 includes adrop down menu including, for example, mash, banana, diamond, side sway,sag, widening, etc.

The point column 4308 identifies a particular point where damage waslocated. In this example, points are identified by unique codesassociated with the points. A drop down menu is provided, in someembodiments, which lists the points for the vehicle.

The damage extent column 4312 is provided to identify the extent of thedamage. In some embodiments, the extent is the distance between theactual measured location of the vehicle point and the original locationof the point. In this example, the extent is measured in millimeters. Insome embodiments a color, such as a background color, in the cell iscolor coded to visually indicate how much damage was measured. Forexample, green indicates a small adjustment is needed, yellow indicatesa moderate adjustment, and red indicates a large adjustment. Otherembodiments utilize other color coding schemes.

The time estimate column 4314, hourly rate column 4316, and cost column4318 identify the amount of time that the repair is estimated to take,the hourly rate for the repair, and the resulting cost for the repair.

In some embodiments, the estimate is manually completed by an operator.In another embodiment, a preliminary estimate is automaticallygenerated. To do so, damaged parts of the vehicle are determined byidentifying points that are not located within the defined tolerances ofthe original point locations. Those points are then listed in theestimate, along with the extent of the damage to be repaired for eachpoint, and a description of the action needed to return the point to theoriginal location. Standard costs are input according to a price listfor each action. The preliminary estimate is then reviewed by thetechnician, or other user, to confirm its accuracy and completeness, andany necessary adjustments are made.

In another possible embodiment, the repair is manually entered, but thedamage extent column is automatically generated upon selection of theget measured data control 4328.

Once the estimate has been completed, the total hours required tocomplete the repair is listed in total time field 4320, which is a sumof the time estimates in column 4314. Similarly, the total estimatedcost is displayed in total cost field 4322.

Additional tools are provided by controls 4324, 4326, 4328, 4330, and4334. Control 4324 is provided to erase the estimate, such as to startover. Print control 4326 is provided to print the estimate either to aprinter or to a file. Get measured damage control 4328 automaticallypopulates the estimate with the damage measurements for each point. Savecontrol 4330 saves the estimate in memory. Cancel control 4332 closesestimate window 4300.

FIG. 44 is a screen shot of the user interface 3300 including an examplereport window 4400. The report window 4400 is displayed, for example,upon selection of the reports control 3326.

In some embodiments, report window 4400 generates a report summarizingdamage identified, repairs to be performed, estimated costs, or otherinformation. In this example, report window 4400 includes a reporteditor including a toolbar 4402, header information 4404, and contentsuch as estimate display 4406, and plan view measurement display 4408.

The toolbar 4402 includes a variety of tools useful in preparing thereport, such as font tools, text alignment tools, and other editingtools.

Header information 4404 includes, for example, the name and address ofthe repair shop, the name and contact information for the vehicle owner,vehicle information, or any other desired information.

Content is then included in the report, as desired. The content caninclude, for example, the estimate display 4406 generated in estimatewindow 4300 (FIG. 43), plan view measurement display 4408, or any otherdisplays or information discussed herein. Some embodiments includestandard templates, available through tab 4412, that providepre-formatted report templates. Estimate tab 4414 displays the estimategenerated in estimate window 4300 (FIG. 43) and includes an insertcontrol 4420 to insert the estimate as estimate display 4406. To returnto estimate window 4300, the edit estimate control 4422 is provided.

Photos tab 4416 is provided to review photographs that are associatedwith the current shop order. Upon selection of photos tab 4416,thumbnail images are displayed to the user. An insert control isprovided to insert photos into the report. Similarly, a snapshots tab4418 is provided to permit review and entry of snapshots into thereport.

Save report control 4424 is included in some embodiments. Uponselection, the report is saved in its current form.

E-mail control 4426 is included in some embodiments. Upon selection, ane-mail window is opened. If the send to customer control 4428 isselected, the e-mail is automatically addressed to the customer's e-mailaddress. If the send to insurance agent control 4430 is selected, thee-mail is automatically addressed to the insurance agent's address. Thereport is included with the e-mail, such as in the body of the message,or as an attachment. For example, the report is saved as a PDF file (orother file format), and then attached to the message. If desired, theoperator can add a personal message to the recipient prior to sendingthe message.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimsattached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made without following the exampleembodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, andwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laser measurement system comprising: a scannerdevice including a laser device that generates a laser beam; and atarget including a detector that detects when the laser beam is directedat the target, and further including a three dimensional positionindicator system that visually indicates the relative position of apoint on a vehicle frame with respect to a desired position in each ofthe three dimensions.
 2. The laser measurement system of claim 1,wherein the three dimensional position indicator system includes atleast three position indicators including a height dimension indicator,a width dimension indicator, and a length dimension indicator.
 3. Thelaser measurement system of claim 2, wherein each position indicator isconfigured to generate at least three outputs, each output indicative ofa distance between the point on the vehicle frame and the desiredposition in one of the three dimensions.
 4. The laser measurement systemof claim 1, further comprising a stem including a connector and aresistive element, the resistive element having a resistance that isdetectable by the target, the resistance being associated with a lengthof the stem.
 5. A method of operating a laser measurement system, themethod comprising: detecting a laser beam emitted from a rotatingscanner device with a target device, the target device being associatedwith a position of a part of a vehicle; and wirelessly transmitting datafrom the target device to the scanner device after detecting the laserbeam.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein detecting a laser beam comprisesdetecting at least two laser beams, and further comprising storing atime value and a position value in memory for each detected laser beam.7. The method of claim 5, further comprising automatically turning onthe target device upon connection of a stem to the target device.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising automatically detecting with thetarget device a resistance associated with the stem, and identifying alength of the stem based on the detected resistance.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein identifying a length of the stem comprises retrievingdata from a lookup table stored in memory of the target device.
 10. Themethod of claim 5, further comprising processing the data received fromthe target device with the scanner device.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein processing further comprises computing a three-dimensionalcoordinate for the position with the scanner device.
 12. The method ofclaim 5, further comprising: receiving data from the scanner device withthe target device; and for each of three dimensions, generating with thetarget device a visual indication of whether the position is proper forthat dimension after receiving the data from the scanner device.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising: detecting movement of theposition; and generating with the target device a different visualindication if movement is in a wrong direction.